What is static electricity?

Static electricity is an electric charge that collects on the surfaces of objects, including humans, under certain conditions. Static electricity is a common, naturally occurring phenomenon and in most cases the charge is so small that it cannot damage humans or animals. It can be dangerous for sensitive electronic components and in rare cases for people. Lightning is a form of static electricity. Static electricity is collected on the surface when it has electrons imbalances and creates a positive or negative electric charge. This is usually released when an object or person contacts the ground or conductive, such as metal, and restoring electrons balance. Earth or similar "soil" will release the charge without a noticeable effect, but the conductor creates an electricity transmission called Spark.

This process is best illustrated: a person who has shoes made of leather, a fabric with a positive charge, walks along a rayon carpet that has a negative charge. Attract the opposite charge so electrons doThey carry their shoes, which will give them a static electric charge; This conversion is known as a tribeelectric effect. The carpet, which is grounded, is not affected, but if the person then touches the metal handle, transfer the charge immediately to the metal. The result is generally harmless and does not cause a person more than a slight discomfort and perhaps a short visible spark.

In some conditions, however, even a short spark can cause great difficulty. Computer components, such as semiconductors, can be damaged by static electricity. In the presence of volatile gases or other substances, static discharge can lead to fires or explosions. Many petrol stations recommend using mobile phone refueling for possible static discharge. It seems to be a city legend, but static electricity can indeed ignite fuel pairs; Drivers should touch the metal of their vehicle far from the gas closure to make a turn off before refuelingSeeted any static electricity.

Lightning is a spectacular and potentially deadly form of static discharge. The conditions in the storm give the cloud a strong negative charge. When the positive charge of the ground or nearby clouds is strong enough, the bullets are equalized in a flash. The resulting flash is a million times stronger than the home spark and is accompanied by huge heat and sound. When the flash is attracted to the ground, any potential wires on the surface, including buildings, trees and humans, can suffer serious damage to the blink of the eye.