When touching an electric wire, why do you become electrocuted when touching the ground, but not when you hang in it (or stand on it like a bird)?

Question

When touching an electric wire, why do you become electrocuted when touching the ground, but not when you hang in it (or stand on it like a bird)?

In:

Answer 1

When you receive a shock it is because you are touching 2 (or more) points that have different potentials (current) electricity is very similar to water in that it always wants to be level if you touch a cable with 240v and the ground which is 0v you get a shock of 240v. If you touch a cable at 240v and 230v you’ll only get a 10v, this is why you don’t get a shock when hanging from a cable both points of contact have the same potential.