In a message dated 97-12-10 19:19:10 EST, you write:

<<
 The reason why we are not harmed by this electric field gradient is that ,
 as someone else mentioned before, the current involved is so low. The
 voltage comes from just a few electrons difference in charge, separated by
 a very good insulator. If we bridge the gap, only a tiny current flows. It
 is sort of like a static discharge which occurs when one walks  accross a
 carpet and touches a doorknob. The charge transfer is bearly enough for you
 to feel it (or sometimes, it is quite enough for you to feel it, but it is
 for such a short duration that it does you no harm). In fact, the voltages
 involved in these little shocks gotten by touching a door knob can easily
 be in the megavolts, or so I have read.

 Sean
  >>
If the charge is so low (i.e. only a small current available) why is it not
discharged quickly and therefore no large gradient is maintained. I do not
disagree with your description, but I am still not sure about the contradition
with the mains-to-the-head analogy.

Mark A. Corio
Rochester MicroSystems, Inc.
200 Buell Road, Suite 9
Rochester, NY  14624
Tel: 716-328-5850
Fax: 716-328-1144
http://www.frontiernet.net/~rmi/
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