Red Seal Electrician Practice
Safety and work practicesQuestion 666 of 1506

Why is contact with a sweaty hand or an open wound especially dangerous?

  1. Sweat and blood are insulators, so the voltage rises on contact.
  2. Sweat and blood contain conductive chemicals, so resistance is much lower.
  3. Sweat and blood make the voltage source stronger in the circuit.
  4. Sweat and blood reduce the contact area of the skin.
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Correct answer: Sweat and blood contain conductive chemicals, so resistance is much lower.

Lower contact resistance means more current for the same voltage.

Source: Lessons in Electric Circuits I: DC (Kuphaldt), 3.4: Ohm’s Law (again)

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Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026