If there is a very popular concept in the field of physics, it is that of static electricity . To begin with, it is good to remember some key ideas and, as always, we will do so in a simple way.
The first idea is that matter is made up of atoms , and these buy phone number list in turn, are made up of positive charges, protons, and negative charges, electrons .
Each atom has a different charge and, as we were taught in science classes at school, opposite charges attract and like charges repel .
On the other hand, normally the atoms of all the objects around us are in a neutral state , which means that there is a balance between the number of protons and electrons. However, sometimes this neutrality is lost and that is where the mystery of static electricity begins.
How is static electricity produced?
Only electrons can move freely from one atom to another through contact or friction between two materials or objects . As a result of this transfer of electrons, some atoms have an excess of negative charge and others have a deficit , because they give up their negative charge.
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As we said, atoms prefer the neutral state, so they will always try to return to it. To achieve this, they will seek friction or induction with other bodies in order to give up or capture electrons , depending on each case.
Well, it is during this charge transfer that a small electric current is produced, or the famous "sparks" or cramps .
Electron transfer can be obtained in two ways:
Electric charge by rubbing: some bodies can be charged after rubbing against each other. One object has an electronegative charge and the other an electropositive charge.
Contact electric charge: does not require friction between objects to generate an electric charge. The amount of static electricity is much lower than that generated by rubbing.
Examples of static electricity
Sometimes static electricity causes two objects to stick together, such as hair and a brush. This happens because the brush has more positive charges and the hair has more negative charges. Remember that positive and negative charges attract each other, but charges that are the same do not like each other and repel each other.
There are many examples of static electricity in our daily lives, such as when you take off a woollen hat and the hairs seem to fly and defy gravity. Or when you drag your feet in socks on a carpet. In this case, static electricity builds up on your body and if you touch someone, a spark jumps.
