1- the wooden kitchentable is not a good insulator, so the cat is faster 
discharged, i.e., your hand wont build up enough charge.
2- the ear doesnt have a thick fur, thus has a better current path to the 
body of the cat (which you charge up when moving your charged hand to it.
try it with the nose

Lembit


> Why does it just shock the cat on the ear and not the tail or middle of 
> the back or any part of the cat?
>
> I mean, it is the same cat.
>
> I did do some experimentation.  If the cat is sitting on the wooden 
> kitchen table, no problems.  But if I put the cat on our fuzzy sofa, then 
> stroke stroke ZAP!
>
> So... 1) It has something to do with that sofa, and 2) something to do 
> with the ears.
>
> As for the sofa, man, at night I can drag a fuzzy blanket over it and me 
> and see sparks galore.
>
>
>>>>
>
> Lindy,
> the cats fur is an extremely good insulator.
> when you pet it you collect charge on your hand. the more you pet it, the
> more charge you collect. when you get to the ear where it doesnt have that
> fur, you discharge your hand through the ear (charging the body of the 
> cat).
> try standing barefoot on a non isolating surface, or touch some big metal
> part (ouch!) before touchign the cats ear.
> Just dont go near a PIC microprocessor after petting your cat or you might
> program it in a way you dont like. ;-)
>
> Lembit
>
>>
>
>
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