How far can electricity travel through water, what is its stopping point? It can move freely in conductive environments such as electricity and water, and this can create dangerous situations. It is scientifically curious how electricity behaves in water and at what point it loses its effect. The conduction of electricity in water varies greatly depending on the content of the water. Pure water; While it is a poor conductor due to its lack of ions, water containing dissolved minerals and salts conducts electric current better. In this article, we will discuss the factors affecting the electrical conductivity of water.
First of all, which waters we encounter in our daily lives are good conductors?
Water types we encounter in daily life such as tap water, rain water and sea water; They conduct electricity well, thanks to the various dissolved salts and minerals they contain. Tap water; While it carries electrical current with the calcium, magnesium and sodium ions it contains, rainwater conducts electricity by interacting with dissolved gases from the atmosphere. Sea water, on the other hand, has the highest electrical conductivity among these water types due to its high salt content.
So how far can electricity travel in water?
Diffusion of electricity in water; It varies depending on factors such as the amount of pollutants in the water, the voltage of the electricity and the resistance encountered. For example; A high voltage electrical source, such as a lightning strike, can travel approximately 6 meters through water. This limited capacity of dissolved substances prevents widespread electrification in large water bodies and prevents the electricity from spreading further. In this way, the electrical conductivity of water varies depending on the type and amount of dissolved substances. As a result, water’s ability to conduct electricity is highly dependent on its purity and the ions it contains. The fact that the water sources we encounter in daily use are generally good conductors of electricity indicates that the contact of electricity and water carries potential dangers. Therefore, high safety precautions should always be taken when water comes into contact with electricity.
