Like truly think about seeing this with 0 understanding of what it was
I mean high voltage also takes the path of least resistance. But sometimes the path of least resistance is the air.
this post was submitted on 24 Dec 2025
424 points (97.7% liked)
Science Memes
19990 readers
2523 users here now
Welcome to c/science_memes @ Mander.xyz!
A place for majestic STEMLORD peacocking, as well as memes about the realities of working in a lab.
Rules
- Don't throw mud. Behave like an intellectual and remember the human.
- Keep it rooted (on topic).
- No spam.
- Infographics welcome, get schooled.
This is a science community. We use the Dawkins definition of meme.
Research Committee
Other Mander Communities
Science and Research
Biology and Life Sciences
- !abiogenesis@mander.xyz
- !animal-behavior@mander.xyz
- !anthropology@mander.xyz
- !arachnology@mander.xyz
- !balconygardening@slrpnk.net
- !biodiversity@mander.xyz
- !biology@mander.xyz
- !biophysics@mander.xyz
- !botany@mander.xyz
- !ecology@mander.xyz
- !entomology@mander.xyz
- !fermentation@mander.xyz
- !herpetology@mander.xyz
- !houseplants@mander.xyz
- !medicine@mander.xyz
- !microscopy@mander.xyz
- !mycology@mander.xyz
- !nudibranchs@mander.xyz
- !nutrition@mander.xyz
- !palaeoecology@mander.xyz
- !palaeontology@mander.xyz
- !photosynthesis@mander.xyz
- !plantid@mander.xyz
- !plants@mander.xyz
- !reptiles and amphibians@mander.xyz
Physical Sciences
- !astronomy@mander.xyz
- !chemistry@mander.xyz
- !earthscience@mander.xyz
- !geography@mander.xyz
- !geospatial@mander.xyz
- !nuclear@mander.xyz
- !physics@mander.xyz
- !quantum-computing@mander.xyz
- !spectroscopy@mander.xyz
Humanities and Social Sciences
Practical and Applied Sciences
- !exercise-and sports-science@mander.xyz
- !gardening@mander.xyz
- !self sufficiency@mander.xyz
- !soilscience@slrpnk.net
- !terrariums@mander.xyz
- !timelapse@mander.xyz
Memes
Miscellaneous
founded 3 years ago
MODERATORS
It actually takes all paths proportionally. This is partly why nearby lightning strikes are so dangerous. Even if the ground is a better conductor than your legs, enough current can still flow to stop your heart.
Why is your heart in your legs?
In the eyes of the charge, your heart is just the path to your legs, like a driveway!
It's like a really flawed idea of love!
There is a path, from the ground, up your leg, across your torso (including your heart) and down your other leg.
This is the reason that downed high voltage power lines are so dangerous. Walking with a long stride can create enough of a differential to fibrillate your heart.
Thank you, Drax.
Basic science: there are conductors and there are insulators
Advanced science: also there are semiconductors because of quantum mechanics and stuff
Mad science: everything is a conductor if you’re brave enough
Actual science: these are arbitrary categories of materials based on their band gaps, so these names don't really mean anything precise
Pfft sounds kinda woke to me smh my head
What do semiconductors have to do with quantum mechanics?
Orbital overlap leading to band gaps, mostly
Meanwhile high frequency signals: conductors? Where we are going we don't need conductors!
I understand it and still think it’s incredible. Lightning is on the order of 100 million volts, and 30 thousand amps. Wow.
At high enough voltage everything becomes a conductor.
Just like in a river, water flows around the rocks but in a flood the rocks flow with the water.
My physics professor in college did his dissertation on lightning. He liked to use the expression, "everything is a conductor when the voltage is high enough".
My climate and atmosphere professor last semester was specialized in studying lightning. Anytime the topic came up he would get really excited about it. Can't blame him, its pretty rad tbh. Every few classes he'd come in with pictures of lightning from his most recent stormchase
The dose makes the poison!
I would assume by electricity they mean current and it quite literally does not follow the path of least resistance it is just split inversly proportionally based on the resistance of paths.
The largest portion of current travels through the path of least resistance, so it's almost there. But not quite.
Well the path of least resistance is pretty full right now, the path of next most resistance seems like less bother.
High frequency enters the room
