The Story Electrified monks and scared frogs
Aug 15, 2025
Dive into a bizarre historical tale where monks experienced electric shocks in a radical experiment blending science and spirituality. Uncover how this unusual event played a role in advancing our understanding of electricity, with engaging explanations and rich historical context. The discussion sheds light on the dynamic relationship between scientific discovery and religious practices, leaving listeners astonished at the crossroads of these seemingly opposing worlds.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Electrified Monks Proved A Point
- In 1746 Antoine Nollet electrified 200 monks standing in a 1.6 km circle and they all convulsed nearly simultaneously.
- Nollet used their simultaneous screams to argue that electricity moved instantaneously around the circle.
Why Electricity Feels Instantaneous
- Electricity behaves like a river: voltage drives electrons and current is their organized flow.
- The apparent instantaneous effect comes from the chain reaction of electrons shoving neighbors, not fast individual electrons.
Circuit Completeness Controls Current
- Individual electrons move very slowly in a conductor, often millimeters per minute, while the signal propagates quickly.
- Current is the volume of electrons cycling in a circuit, and its rapid effect depends on a complete closed path.
