Book 31, Question 116 · Video
Why don’t birds get shocked when they sit on a power line?
A bird sitting on one wire has both feet on the same line, so the electricity has no path to flow through its body. Electricity flows when it can go from a high place to a lower place, such as the ground. A bird would be hurt if it touched two wires at once, or a wire and something connected to the ground. People must never touch or climb near power lines.
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What Crafty Clover says in this video
Intro
Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why don’t birds get shocked when they sit on a power line?
The Big Idea
Birds sit on power lines all the time! So why don't they get shocked? Let's find out, and stay safe!
One Wire
Step one: One Wire. A bird sitting on one wire has both feet on the same line. So the electricity has no path to flow through its body.
How Electricity Flows
Step two: How Electricity Flows. Electricity flows when it can go from a high place to a lower place, such as the ground. A bird on one wire doesn't give it that path.
Danger
Step three: Danger. A bird would be hurt if it touched two wires at once, or a wire and something connected to the ground. People must never touch, climb, or fly kites near power lines.
A Closer Look
Let's take a closer look! Safe for birds. Needs a path. Dangerous. Never touch.
Quick Facts
Quick facts! Power lines carry far more electricity than a wall outlet at home. Never climb near power lines. Fly kites far away from wires. One wire is safe for birds.
Think Like a Scientist
Now, think like a scientist! Never go near power lines or throw anything at them. Draw a bird sitting on one wire. Draw another bird touching two wires. Label which is safe and which is dangerous. Tell a grown-up if you ever see a fallen wire.
Outro
A bird on one wire has both feet on the same line, so electricity has no path through its body. Touching two wires, or a wire and the ground, would be dangerous, which is why people must never touch or climb near power lines. Science is amazing! What will you discover next? Every question is a new adventure, so keep wondering and keep exploring with me! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!