Question

A spark will jump between two people if the electric field exceeds 4.0 x 106 V/m. You shuffle across a rug and a spark jumps when you put your finger 0.48 cm from another person’s arm. Calculate the potential difference between your body and the other person’s arm.

Answer 1

Solution. The relationship of the electric field with the potential difference is related by the formula

$$\Delta φ= Ed$$

where ∆φ is potential difference; E= 4.0 x 10⁶ V/m is electric field; d=0.48 cm is distance. Therefore

$$\Delta φ= 4.0\times 10^6\times 0.48\times 10^{-2}=19200V$$

Answer.

$$\Delta φ=19200V$$