Question

The top of the atmosphere is about 400 k V with respect to the surface of earth, corresponding to an electric field that decreases with altitude. Near the surface of earth the field is about 100 V $m^{- 1},$ but still don’t get an electric shock, as we set out of our houses in to open because (assume the house is free from electric field)

• A. Our body is a perfect insulator
• B. Our body and ground form an equipotential surface
• C. The original equipotential surfaces of open air remain same
• D. None of these

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Our body and ground form an equipotential surface

Answer 2

: Since, our body and the surface of earth, both are conductiong, therefore our body and the ground form an equipotential surface. As we step out in to the open from our house, the original equipotential surfaces of open air change, keeping our body and the ground at the same potential. That is why we do not get an electric shock.