WONDER #1063: Do Birds Get Shocked When They Sit on Wires?

Question 1 of 3

What is a reason why birds don’t get shocked on power lines?

  1. special padding on their feet
  2. there is no difference in voltage on a single wire
  3. opposites attract
  4. there is not enough voltage in power lines

Question 2 of 3

Which scenario accurately describes the way electricity flows?

  1. from an area of 40,000 volts to an area of 15,000 volts
  2. along a path that has the most resistance
  3. from an area of 20,000 volts to an area of 35,000 volts
  4. none of these

Question 3 of 3

Which of these animals would get a large shock?

  1. a squirrel running across a power line
  2. a chipmunk hanging onto a 35,000-volt power line
  3. birds sitting on a power line
  4. a monkey holding onto a power line with one hand and a tree branch with the other

Check your answers online at https://wonderopolis.org/index.php/wonder/Do-Birds-Get-Shocked-When-They-Sit-on-Wires.