Rubbing a plastic comb with wool will produce more static electricity than rubbing a metal spoon with wool why is this?

Answer 1

This has to do with the transfer of electrons from one material to another through the contact of the materials. The transfer of electrons is static electricity, and because some materials have a higher tendency to gain or lost electrons than others, more or less static electricity is produced.

Wool has a tendency to gain electrons. Both metal and plastic lose electrons; however, plastic has a far higher tendency to lose electrons than does metal. This is shown on the triboelectric series, a chart showing the relative tendencies of various materials to transfer electrons. Because plastic will lose more electrons to the wool than the metal will, more static electricity is produced.

Answer 2

Static electricity is produced as plastic is a insulator which can keep static charges build up. But metals cannot hold static electricity as they are a good conductor of electricity and cannot hold static electricity as charges keep on flowing through them.

Answer 3

Plastic is an insulator, so it holds onto electrons when rubbed against wool, creating a build-up of static charge. On the other hand, metal is a conductor, so it can easily transfer electrons back to the wool, preventing a significant build-up of static electricity.