# How electroconductive is semen? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 23, 2014, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-electroconductive-is-semen/689093 "2014-05-23T15:28:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2014, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-electroconductive-is-semen/689093/21 "2014-05-26T20:22:22Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > That’s not an answer to the question, since what you measured is a property of the sample, not of the substance. Yes, you measured the separation of your electrodes, and that’s important, but it also depends on the geometry of the sample. Measuring the conductivity of a liquid is more difficult than measuring the conductivity of a solid. For a liquid w/ mobile ions, the DC conductivity will not only be a function of geometry, but of _ **time** _. (I believe this is because the mobile ions will be swept toward the probes.) Because of this, instruments that measure the conductivity of liquids usually use a low level AC excitation voltage. In addition to geometry, the conductivity of a liquid is a function of the magnitude and frequency of the AC voltage. It’s a rather complex measurement. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2014, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-electroconductive-is-semen/689093/22 "2014-05-26T21:15:15Z")
Is this addressed in the cavitation-method cite? I was wondering about **Vicullum** ’s result as well. ---
**Author:** ![Vicullum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/6de8d8/32.png) [@Vicullum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vicullum)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2014, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-electroconductive-is-semen/689093/23 "2014-05-26T22:21:59Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > That’s not an answer to the question, since what you measured is a property of the sample, not of the substance. Yes, you measured the separation of your electrodes, and that’s important, but it also depends on the geometry of the sample. I’m aware conductivity depends on cross-sectional area and length (I have a degree in electrical engineering). However, we’re investigating a material whose properties vary from highly liquid to viscous to solid, depending how long you wait. Had the material been in long, thin pipette would I have gotten a different answer? Of course. But how often does one encounter semen in that state? The way I measured it–sitting in a small pool–is about as representative an example as you can get. If you people want a more thorough answer then run your own experiments. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2014, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-electroconductive-is-semen/689093/24 "2014-05-26T23:00:01Z")
> [@Vicullum](#): > > If you people want a more thorough answer then run your own experiments. We tried but have had a hard time finding a cooperative lab assistant. ---
**Author:** ![CheshireKat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheshirekat/32/1207_2.png) [@CheshireKat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CheshireKat)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2014, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-electroconductive-is-semen/689093/25 "2014-05-26T23:55:18Z")
> [@Vicullum](#): > > Of course. But how often does one encounter semen in that state? The way I measured it– **sitting in a small pool** –is about as representative an example as you can get. Well there’s your problem. Get out of the pool, which is compromising your sample, and measure it on a proper lab bench. You’re lucky you didn’t electrocute yourself. ---
**Author:** ![yo\_han\_go](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yo_han_go/32/130_2.png) [@yo\_han\_go](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yo_han_go)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2014, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-electroconductive-is-semen/689093/26 "2014-05-27T12:34:12Z")
That could be a very useful information for all sex robot makers. Also for all electric fence fetishists. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2014, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-electroconductive-is-semen/689093/27 "2014-05-27T13:32:33Z")
But the question isn’t “what is the resistance of a typical puddle of semen”, but “what is the resistivity of semen”. The latter question will have the same answer no matter how the sample is arranged. What you did was equivalent to determining the density of semen using the formula “density = mass divided by length cubed”, which, if your sample is anything other than a cube in shape, will be wrong. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2014, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-electroconductive-is-semen/689093/28 "2014-05-27T13:35:07Z")
Meanwhile, in an alternate universe, an oral sex thread is closed. Slammed shut, actually. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-electroconductive-is-semen/689093.md?page=1)