Depolarize the Pacemaker Cells, Using Physics!


A defibrillator is used to depolarize the pacemaker cells, allowing the sinoatrial node to reestablish a normal rhythm. A heart enters ventricular fibrillations and requires 30 amps. In essence, the defibrillator is a discharging capacitor, of C farads, across a patient with a resistance of R ohms. If the defibrillator started at a full charge, emitting 30 amps, how much time elapses before the current drops below 25 amps?



Eq. 1 – Discharge Formula

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