Kalpana Enterprises

Introduction to Static Electricity

All physical objects are made up of atoms. Inside an atom are protons, electrons and neutrons. The protons are positively charged, the electrons are negatively charged, and the neutrons are neutral.

Therefore, all things are made up of charges. Opposite charges attract each other (negative to positive). Like charges repel each other (positive to positive or negative to negative). Most of the time, positive and negative charges are balanced in an object, which makes that object neutral

Static electricity is the result of an imbalance between negative and positive charges in an object. These charges can build up on the surface of an object until they find a way to be released or discharged.

Human body gets static charge by scuffing shoes on a carpet, wollen cloth rubbed to skin etc. When human body attains the static voltage equal to breakdown voltage of air (3kV/mm approx.) and goes in vicinity of earthed objects, spark is generated between part of the body and earthed object to discharge the static voltage to the earthed object.