Static electricity for kids-what is it static electricity and how is it created?

Answer 1

How does static electricity work?

What is static electricity?

1. Static electricity is a form of electricity that does not flow: it is electricity at rest. Objects carry positive electric charges when some of their atoms have fewer electrons than they should, and they carry negative electric charges when some of the atoms have more electrons than they should. An easy way to produce static electricity is to rub two objects (made of certain materials) together: this transfers electrons from one item to another, giving each a positive or negative charge. Positively and negatively charged objects are attracted to each other like magnets-because each wants to shed or acquire electrons. When static electricity becomes powerful enough, so many electrons jump from one thing to another that they cause a visible electric spark, which you will feel as a little "shock" if one of the things the electrons jump to you! (Loose electrons can attach to atoms in the surface of your skin.) Lightning, in fact, is really just a giant spark that results when static electricity builds up in a cloud during a thunderstorm.

How does my hair stick up?

2. As you remove your hat, electrons are transferred from hat to hair, creating that interesting hairdo! Remember, objects with the same charge repel each other. Because they have the same charge, your hair will stand on end. Your hairs are simply trying to get as far away from each other as possible!

How does a balloon stick to the wall?

3. When you rub a balloon against your clothes and it sticks to the wall, you are adding an extra of electrons (negative charges) to the surface of the balloon. The wall is now more positively charged than the balloon. As the two come in contact, the balloon will stick because of the rule that opposites attract (positive to negative).

What is the difference between static and current electricity?

4. According to traditional terminology, current electricity runs freely while electrical charges from static electricity generally do not move too well on their own. Current electricity or "charge flow," forces charged particles to flow through each other. In static electricity, also called "net charge," protons and electrons repel or attract each other. They cannot flow through the other, as is the case with electrical current.