Electrocution
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- "Electrocute" redirects here. For the band, see Electrocute (band).
Electrocution is the stopping of life (determined by a stopped heart) by any type of electric shock. In the vernacular, the term electrocution is used to mean:
- accidental injury, death, murder or suicide by electric shock
- deliberate execution by electric shock, usually involving an electric chair; the word "electrocution" is a portmanteau for "electrical execution"
Electrocution is also frequently used to refer to any electric shock received but is technically incorrect. This choice in definition varies from dictionary to dictionary.[1] [2]
Death can occur from any shock that carries enough amperage. Small amperages (40 mA - 700 mA) usually trigger fibrillation in the heart which is reversible via defibrillator, but large amperages (> 1 A) cause permanent damage via burns, and cellular damage. The heart is most devastated by foreign electricity, next is the brain.[citation needed] Women are more susceptible to macroshock electrocution than men, but men are equally susceptible to Microshock electrocution.[citation needed]
[edit] References
[edit] See also
| Look up electrocution in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. |
- Capital punishment (death penalty)
- Electricity
- Macroshock
- Microshock
- Electric shock
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