UPSC Prelims 2005·GS1·science-and-technology·science and technology

What is the order of magnitude of electric resistance of the human body (dry)?

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Last updated 23 May 2026, 3:31 pm IST
  1. A102 ohms
  2. B104 ohmsCorrect
  3. C106 ohms
  4. D108 ohms

Explanation

The correct answer is B because the electrical resistance of the human body depends primarily on the condition of the skin. When the skin is dry, it acts as a strong insulator, typically offering a resistance ranging from 10,000 ohms to 100,000 ohms. In scientific notation, 10,000 ohms is expressed as 10 to the power of 4, making it the correct order of magnitude. If the skin becomes wet or broken, this resistance drops significantly, often falling to around 1,000 ohms or 10 to the power of 3. Therefore, for a dry human body, 10 to the power of 4 ohms is the standard representative value.
science-and-technology: What is the order of magnitude of electric resistance of the human body (dry)?
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