Static electricity deals with the imbalance of electric charges in an object, particularly the disparity between the positive and negative particles in an object. Physical methods produce asymmetry in the charge. One of the common causes of static electricity is the contact between solid bodies. We know that the motion of protons is not viable, and the only motion of charge existing in static electricity is electrons. Electrons in atoms are held loosely, denoting that they can be easily transmitted through basic physical contact like rubbing. Such charges can accumulate on the surface of a body until they identify a way to be discharged or released. One method to discharge them is by a circuit. A lightning strike is exactly similar to this process. Static electricity is a type of electric field that originates due to static charges. The surface of the object comprises some charges which combine static electricity on that object. Such static charges may come on the top of the surface through physical contact with one of the most charged materials. It can also be through the additional ions existing in the air.
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Static Electricity Discharge
The electrostatic discharge causes the sparks linked with static electricity. Excess charges are neutralised by charges to or from the surroundings. The sense of an electric shock is the result of the stimulation of nerves as the neutralising electric current flows through our body. The energy accumulated as static electricity on a body changes based on the dimensions of the body and its inert capacitance, the dielectric constant of the enclosing medium, and the voltage to which it is charged.
Learn the basics of charging by induction through the visualisation technique explained in this video.
Static Electricity Experiments
Characteristics and power of electricity can be easily demonstrated by basic static electricity experiments. Here are the two experiments that can be easily conducted using the materials available in your home.
Balloon Experiment
Items required for this experiment are balloons, small pieces of paper (paper bits from paper punchers are ideal for this experiment), a wool sweater, and a plastic pen.
First of all, rub your hair on a rubber balloon. Rub vigorously as possible. There will be an invisible change in your hair and balloon. Try to place the balloon on the wall. Does it stick on the wall? This rubbing transfers electrons to the balloon and forces the balloon to transform into a negatively charged body.
Just like the above scenario, rub the plastic pen on a wool sweater and touch the small pieces of paper. The paper will stick on to the pen.
In the above experiments, we are physically transferring electrons from one object to another by rubbing. Hairs stand up as they are full of loosely bound electrons. Electrons always repel each other and try to position as far away from each other as possible. The balloon holds on to the wall because it generates an induced charge. The positive charges inside the rubber balloon attract electrons from the wall. An identical phenomenon happens between the pen and paper.
Water Bending Experiment
Items required for this experiment are a comb and a sink with a water tap.
First of all, turn on the water tap with a very thin stream of water. A thinner stream produces an optically better result. Remember that water needs to be flowing continuously rather than just dripping. Brush your hair with the comb and place the comb very close to the thin stream of water. Be careful not to touch the flowing water. Then, you will see the water bending towards the comb.
Every matter is composed of atoms. Every atom consists of electrons (negative charge) and protons (positive charge). Both negative and positive charges are generally balanced in each atom. Therefore, atoms are typically charged, and so does the object that contains the atoms. However, when two objects are rubbed together (here, comb and hair), a few electrons are displaced from one to the other. This causes one object to have a negative charge and the other to have a positive charge. As a result, they attract each other due to their polar charges.
Please note that static electricity does not work well on a humid day. In this condition, charged particles may get attached to water molecules in the atmosphere.
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Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
What is static electricity?
Static electricity is a common electric process in which charged particles are transmitted from one object to another. Static electricity deals with the imbalance of electric charges in an object, particularly the disparity between the positive and negative particles in an object.
Explain how static electricity works.
One of the common causes of static electricity is the contact between solid bodies. We know that the motion of protons is not viable, and the only motion of charge existing in static electricity is electrons. Electrons in atoms are linked loosely, denoting that they can be easily transmitted through basic physical contact like rubbing. Such charges can accumulate on the surface of an object until they identify a way to be discharged or released.
What are factors that determine the amount of energy stored in as static electricity?
The energy accumulated as static electricity on a body changes based on the dimensions of the body and its inert capacitance, the dielectric constant of the enclosing medium, and the voltage to which it is charged.
What causes sparks connected to static electricity?
The electrostatic discharge causes the sparks linked with static electricity.
Who discovered electromagnetic induction?
Micheal Faraday discovered electromagnetic induction.
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