What Is Static Shock?

Static electric shock is a phenomenon that everybody has experienced, often more than once, but most individuals don’t know much about it. Static electric shock is caused by sudden discharge of electricity due to the accumulation and transfer of static electricity. This accumulation can create a small electric charge, which can result in a small shock or jolt that can vary in intensity from simply surprising to somewhat uncomfortable. But what is the definition of static electric shock and how does it occur. In the following pages we will define static electricity, describe how it creates electric voltage, and present strategies and techniques for reducing static charge during everyday life.

Understanding Static Electricity

Static electricity is defined as a build-up of electric charge on the surface of a material. In contrast to current electricity, which flows through conductive materials, static electricity does not flow; it will remain in one place until discharged. Static electricity typically occurs when two different materials touch and exchange electrons, causing a difference in the number of electric charges on the two materials. When a charge finds a conductor (e.g., metal), it will discharge rapidly and cause a shock (electric shock).

How Static Shock Happens

Static electricity is basically a rapid discharge of electric charges. Think about how while walking towards a carpet wearing rubber-soled shoes, the two surfaces rub together causing electrons to transfer from one to the other. One surface ends up with a negative charge, having gained extra electrons; and the other ends up with a positive charge, having lost electrons. When you touch a conductive surface, such as a metal doorknob, the charges flow rapidly from one surface to try to equal them out; and this results in the “shock” that you feel.

Common Causes of Static Shock

Understanding what causes static shock is helpful to anyone who can experience it so that they can avoid or minimize their experiences with it. There are multiple types of events that create static shock, such as:

Low humidity: Low humid air, particularly in colder months, increases static charge (static electricity) because when moisture is in the air it is used to help disperse electrical charge; therefore, charges build up much easier in dry (i.e., low humid) conditions.

Some common ways to create static electricity through friction are rubber-soled shoes on carpeted surfaces (or moving across other surfaces) and dragging bodily surfaces against various other surfaces (especially fabrics).

Also, some synthetic fabric types (such as polyester, rayon, and nylon) tend to generate static charge more easily than natural fibers like cotton.

Handling plastic and rubber items, like balloons or toys, can create a buildup of static electricity within you, as well as in your clothing.

Electronic Devices: Interaction with electronic devices like laptops or smartphones can create small amounts of static electricity, especially in dry environments.

How Static Charges Build Up

Triboelectric charging, where electrons move from one object to another that physically touch and are separated afterwards, is the main cause of static electricity build-up. Consider an example; in which you shuffle your feet on a carpet, your body collects electrons, generating a negative charge. Then when you touch a metal object, such as a doorknob, the charge can rapidly discharge to the object resulting in electrostatic shock.

Static charges can accumulate due to processes such as friction, induction, and conduction, particularly in controlled environments such as factories where specific materials are processed and friction is a frequent occurrence.

Why Does Static Shock Happen More Often in Winter?

You may have consistently experienced static shocks occurring more often during wintertime compared to summertime. The reason this happens is due to the fact that the air we breathe in colder weather is usually much drier than during the warmer months. Humid air will allow electrical charge to move around and disperse, thereby preventing the build up of electrical energy, while dry air does not allow any flow of electrical charge through it and acts as a barrier to the charging of objects and people with static electricity.

Is Static Shock Dangerous?

Often, static shock poses little danger as an annoyance, rather than a significant threat to safety. The high voltage associated with static discharge (up to potentially 20,000 volts) should only give the impression of being intimidating. In most instances, the amount of current flowing through static discharge is extremely low, thus allowing no safety concerns. Nevertheless, there are scenarios where static shock has the potential to be dangerous.

Flammable environments: Static-generated sparks can ignite explosions or cause fires in environments that contain combustible vapours, gases, or dust.

Sensitive electronics: Electronic components are susceptible to damage from static electricity discharge, therefore, static protection is critical for manufacturing and handling of any electronic assembly.

Those who suffer from medical problems or have implanted patient care devices (such as an artificial pacemaker) would only be affected by a static discharge under special circumstances.

5 Common Examples of Static Electricity in Daily Life

Static electricity is a natural phenomenon that can happen anywhere at any time. Below are five examples of places/experiences where most people will have experienced static electricity in their daily lives:

When you rub a balloon against your head, static electricity from rubbing it will lift up (and make) your hair stand up and cause the balloon to adhere to your concrete wall due to the static charge.

Static electricity can cause a brief burst of energy known as static discharge. If you walk on a carpet, you may receive an electric shock from touching a metal doorknob after you cross the carpet.

Static cling in clothing: After drying your garments, they’re usually going to be covered in static cling and stick to one another; this problem will occur more often with synthetic (non-cotton) fabrics than with other fabrics.

Static Charge Creates Lightning: Static charges build up in a storm, culminating in lightning when the charges discharge.

Dust accumulation: Televisions as well as computer displays are prone to build-up of dust resulting from a static charge formed on either television or computer display surface thus causing attraction between particles of dust and charged television/display surfaces.

How to Prevent or Reduce Static Shock

If you find static shocks more troublesome than amusing, there are several ways to minimize them:

• A humidifier can be used to increase moisture in the air, especially in winter months, to help with the reduction of static charges and static electricity.
• Choose Apparel made of Natural Fibers: Choose cotton or other types of natural materials for you’re clothing. This helps in decreasing the potential for the buildup of static electricity that can occur left alone by synthetic type fabrics.
• Apply anti-static spray: Anti-static sprays are beneficial in eliminating static electricity from carpets, clothes, or furniture.
• Avoid dragging your feet while walking at a normal pace will lessen the amount of friction between your shoe and the ground.
• Use of ESD Products: Use an ESD product such as an antistatic mat or wrist strap to minimize the formation of static electricity, which can lead to damage to sensitive electronic components in an industrial or electronic handling environment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Static Shock

What are the 5 examples of static electricity?

Examples of static electricity include: lightning, laundry stuck to walls; static electricity from rubbing against a balloon while in your hair; touching metal doorknob after carpeting; and dust sticking to computer screens due to static electricity.

Is static shock dangerous to humans?

Electrical shocks are usually safe for a healthy person; they happen quickly and release very little current. However, electrical shocks can be dangerous if large amounts of electricity are transferred to an explosive-containing environment, or if someone in the area is an electrical-sensitive person.

Why do I get shocked more in the winter?

Dry air is the main cause of an increased incidence of static electricity in the winter months. Electric charges can be disspated when there is moisture in the air; however, the accumulation of charge is much quicker when there are lower levels of humidity.

How does static electricity affect electronics?

Sensitive electronic devices can be damaged by short circuits caused by static electricity or damaged internal parts that are fragile. Therefore, when handling electronic devices, using ESD equipment such as anti-static mats and wrist straps is necessary.

How can I safely discharge static electricity?

To safely release static electricity, you can either touch a grounded metal object, like a doorknob or metal pole, while also holding an object (key, etc.) that is metal. Or you can simply use your hands (no object) when touching an object that is grounded.

Can pets experience static shock?

The answer is undoubtedly yes. Pets can get static electricity from friction, especially when there is little moisture in the air. This would lead to them being startled and/or uncomfortable. The use of a humidifier and pet-friendly anti-static grooming products will reduce the amount of times your pet gets a static electrical shock.

The takeaway from this blog post is that knowing what static shock means; and how static electricity works (due to basic science principles like charge distributions) helps us derive meaning as we look at static shocks and their causes throughout our lives. From times we have all reached for a metal doorknob and suddenly felt an electric shock, to more grand examples of static electricity (like lightning), static electricity is something we can find in everyday occurrences. You can take small steps (like controlling humidity, wearing cotton clothing, utilizing ESD devices, etc.) to limit the negative consequences of static shocks on you or your belongings. Therefore, when you next receive a zap from a static charge, consider the great scientific lessons that lie within.