Static Electricity For Dummies

Let s start with three very basic concepts of electricity.

Static electricity for dummies. Suffice it to say that two of the tiny particles that make up atoms protons and electrons are the bearers of electric charge. It can damage electronics static electricity can also cause damage. Basics of static electricity. One main use is in printers and photocopiers where static electric charges attract the ink or toner to the paper.

If you want to photograph lightning set your camera to take multiple continuous shots and be prepared for a very long wait. The reason that it s actually called static electricity is because the charges stay in one area for some time and don t flow or move to a different area. Static electricity more properly called electrostatic charge results when electric charges that is voltage builds up in the absence of a circuit that allows current to flow your own body is frequently the carrier of static charge which can be created by a variety of causes. Let s learn about static electricity.

While this model is not completely accurate we can use it to help us understand static electricity. When electricity gathers in one place it is known as static electricity the word static means something that does not move. A lightning bolt is a huge release of static electricity in which built up electrical potential energy shoots from the sky to the ground in a sudden improvised electric current. In fact the word electricity comes from the greek elektron which means amber.

A more accurate model would show the electrons moving in 3 dimensional volumes with different shapes called orbitals. Namely electric charge electric current and electric circuit. Electricity that moves from one place to another is called current electricity. For more videos go to.

Static electricity is the build up of an electrical charge on the surface of an object. By ron kurtus revised 18 may 2017 static electricity is the buildup of electrical charges on the surface of some object or material. Static electricity has several uses also called applications in the real world. Static electricity is usually created when materials are pulled apart or rubbed together causing positive charges to collect on one material and negative charges on the other surface.

The experiments wouldn t continue until the 17th century. But what is electricity really. What is static electricity. That s when william gilbert an english physician and amateur scientist began to study magnetism and static electricity.

The most common is friction that results from simple things such as walking across a carpet. Lightning happens when static electricity built up in one place turns to current electricity flowing from one.