jkarp,
Using ohm's law and incorrect variables is suspect to begin with. V=I*R
Basic EM from 200 level physics covers that whole thing about equal potential across a conductor. Granted the wiring is not an ideal conductor, but it's resistance is low enough in comparison to the load points in the circuit that it can be assumed to be negligible (<Z/10^3). By definition dV when traveling along any continuous path inside the conductor is 0 (this is assuming the absence of an external E or B of significance, a valid assumption in your kitchen). Since the neutral and ground are bonded by conductors without significant resistance, they form one continuous conductor. So you are left with V=0. Applying Ohm's law, I=0 for the path through the body.
If there is significant resistance between the neutral and ground (0 V), then significant current could be carried through the body, but this is a case of a faulty ground.
Don't believe me? Stick the probes of your multimeter in the neutral socket and ground socket of a 3-prong receptacle in a duplex receptacle. Plug your toaster into the other receptacle and turn it on. Set your multimeter to 200 VAC. You'll see 0. That's because they're at the same potential. You could even plug in a light between these two points. It won't light up cause there's no EMF, and therefore no I. Because the duplex receptacle is tied together it's exactly equivalent to the situation with the heat stick.
So where's the current going? Back through the 0 resistance paths, but effectively nowhere. Doesn't matter as long as it's at 0 potential relative to ground (that's why they call it ground...).
Using ohm's law and incorrect variables is suspect to begin with. V=I*R
Basic EM from 200 level physics covers that whole thing about equal potential across a conductor. Granted the wiring is not an ideal conductor, but it's resistance is low enough in comparison to the load points in the circuit that it can be assumed to be negligible (<Z/10^3). By definition dV when traveling along any continuous path inside the conductor is 0 (this is assuming the absence of an external E or B of significance, a valid assumption in your kitchen). Since the neutral and ground are bonded by conductors without significant resistance, they form one continuous conductor. So you are left with V=0. Applying Ohm's law, I=0 for the path through the body.
If there is significant resistance between the neutral and ground (0 V), then significant current could be carried through the body, but this is a case of a faulty ground.
Don't believe me? Stick the probes of your multimeter in the neutral socket and ground socket of a 3-prong receptacle in a duplex receptacle. Plug your toaster into the other receptacle and turn it on. Set your multimeter to 200 VAC. You'll see 0. That's because they're at the same potential. You could even plug in a light between these two points. It won't light up cause there's no EMF, and therefore no I. Because the duplex receptacle is tied together it's exactly equivalent to the situation with the heat stick.
So where's the current going? Back through the 0 resistance paths, but effectively nowhere. Doesn't matter as long as it's at 0 potential relative to ground (that's why they call it ground...).
