STATIC ELECTRICITY: HOW IT IS PRODUCED, TYPES, EXAMPLES - PHYSICAL

The static electricity is the accumulation of electrical charge on an element is at rest. This type of electricity is manifested when there is contact between the same amount of protons (positively charged subatomic particles) and electrons (negatively charged subatomic particles).

Usually this contact between protons and electrons is generated through the friction of two elements that have opposite charges. It is at this time that the effects of static electricity on bodies are physically evident.

How is static electricity produced?

Static electricity is produced when an excessively electrically charged body passes the excess electrons it houses into another body. This happens through the release of energy.

In turn, the body that receives the discharge of electrons is statically charged through a process called electrostatic induction. This discharge and charge of energy - from one body to another, respectively - can occur through sparks or some type of mechanical discharge.

The most common way to perceive static electricity is through the rubbing of two electrically charged bodies with opposite charges.

Here the energy balance is evidenced, since the body with a higher electron count gives up this charge to the body with a lower electron count.

Even if a body has a very high electrostatic charge, the electrons may “jump” directly towards the discharge object, thereby generating an electric arc due to the dielectric breakdown of the air.

In essence, the transfer of electrons from one body to another is due to the basic interaction between charges: opposite electric charges attract and like electric charges repel each other.

This makes it possible for electric charges, depending on the reaction induced by the other bodies, to be transferred from one atom to another and to move towards the surface of the bodies.

Consequently, the transfer of electrons occurs from the body that has a greater negative charge to the body with less negative charge, giving rise to the electrostatic phenomenon.

Types

Static electricity can manifest itself in different ways, depending on the nature and state (solid, liquid, gaseous) of the bodies involved in the process. Thus, static electricity can occur in the following forms:

Loading between solids

This process, also called triboelectrification, occurs when electrons are transferred between two solid bodies, and it happens through direct friction or friction between both bodies. Two such examples are:

Vitreous electricity

It refers to the electrical charge that the glass acquires when its surface is rubbed.

Resinous electricity

An effect analogous to vitreous electricity that occurs when rubbing a resin.

Liquid loading

Liquids can become electrically charged by being transported through pipes or by interacting with solid particles such as dust. In both cases it is a question of contacts between solids and liquids.

Likewise, they can also become electrostatically charged by interacting with gases. However, charging between liquids occurs only between highly insulating liquids.

Gas loading

Gases, by themselves, are not electrically charged. However, it is common to witness processes in which a gas serves as a means of transport between solid or liquid bodies.

In this way, gases play a secondary role in this type of process, since they only serve as a connection between the electrostatic charge and discharge elements.

Powder loading

It is very common to witness electron transfer between electrically charged powders, due to the nature of the materials and the variety of properties, shapes and sizes that can take place in the interaction.

Real examples

Static electricity is present in everyday life. For example, we have all witnessed the effects of capillary electricity, popularly known as frizz or spiky hair.

Here are some real examples of static electricity to expose common cases from life itself:

- Blow up an air balloon, knot it, and rub it against your hair to transfer the load from the hair to the balloon. You will see how your hair sticks to the balloon due to the electrostatic charge, defying the effect of gravity at times.

- On a flat surface place a little salt or pepper. Simultaneously rubbing a plastic teaspoon with a woolen cloth, the charge transfer will occur from cloth to teaspoon. Then move the teaspoon closer to the salt or pepper. You will see how the particles will move towards the teaspoon due to the attraction of opposite electrical charges.

- Move the comb over your hair several times, especially if there is little humidity in the environment. The comb will be charged with static electricity by the transfer of electrons from the hair to the comb. Then bring the comb closer to small pieces of fabric: you will see how these stick to the comb due to the attraction of opposite electrical charges.

- Lightning is a form of static electricity, since clouds, by having direct contact with air molecules, adopt a certain electrical charge that they must transfer to balance their system. The only alternative to transfer the excess electrons is to transfer this extra charge to another cloud through the air; there the rays take place.

Do you have health risks?

Static electricity poses health risks if proper precautions are not taken.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, known by its acronym in English as OSHA, in the event of high voltage discharges they can induce painful shocks in people.

If sudden contact is made with an electrostatically charged object, the charge can flow through the person's body, generating an electric shock.

In that case, the consequences range from a burn to heart disease, depending on the path that static electricity travels in the body.

Likewise, static electricity can be a source of ignition for flammable substances and damage sensitive electronic connections.

References

Different types of electricity (2016). Recovered from: atomberg.com
How to Produce Static Electricity (2017). Recovered from: sciencing.com
Jonassen, N. (2000). How Is Static Electricity Generated? Mr. Static, Compliance Engineering 17, no. 5. Recovered from: incompliancemag.com
Lucas, J. (2015). What is Static Electricity? Recovered from: livescience.com
Principles of electricity: static and dynamic electricity (2013). Recovered from: redusers.com
Redondo, R. (2018). Dictionary of Electrical Engineering. University of Salamanca. Higher Technical School of Industrial Engineering. Recovered from: electricity.usal.es

STATIC ELECTRICITY: HOW IT IS PRODUCED, TYPES, EXAMPLES - PHYSICAL - 2024