For the past month or so I have been getting Static Electric Shocks noticeably more often than usual. Everything I touch, whether it be a car, a metal desk, a light switch. Has anyone else been getting static electric shocks more often lately? Is there a way to prevent build up of static electricity? is there some kind of explanation for this? Any comments would really be appreciated.
2007-02-18 15:20:54 · 6 answers · asked by DJ 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
It's caused by dry air (low humidity) and the sole of your shoes or pants passing over (typically) nylon carpet or car seats. Spray some fabric softener or rub fabric softener sheets on your shoes and pants. Or learn to live with it during those dry air periods.
2007-02-18 15:30:30 · answer #1 · answered by Mr. Peachy® 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope, it's not on the rise. There's 'bout the same amount of total charge in the UNiverse as there was a few seconds after the Big Bang.
But static is more easily generated (and less easily dissipated) when the weather is cool and dry. And we've been having quite a bit of that lately.
As for preventing it, there really isn't any good way (short of living in an electrostatic cage ☺) But if you hold a key in your hand and let it arc to the door, desk, whatever, you won't feel the shock since the total charge will be spread out over a larger area meaning that the current density will be lower.
HTH ☺
Doug
2007-02-18 15:30:32 · answer #2 · answered by doug_donaghue 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It does not could be switched over to be utilized for potential. lots of home equipment, computers, flashlights, hand approaches, electric powered autos and something battery powered, runs off of DC. Static electrical energy is in basic terms an accumulation of electrons and the definition of electrical energy is the bypass of electrons. And specific static electrical energy is DC. yet electrical energy you employ is extra akin to being called "dynamic electrical energy" by using fact the electrons are flowing. the subject with static electrical energy is it is so short lived which you won't be in a position to apply it. Even lightning, that's static electrical energy, which has great potential according to flash, is barely a potential flash for a fragment of a 2nd, that's in basic terms too confusing for use in an equipment working for any term. in case you remember the movie "decrease back to the destiny" they tried to apply the potential of lightning to offer a considerable potential upward push to equivalent a powerplant output yet that become in easy terms for an on the spot. you like a brilliant capacitor to save static electrical energy directly to, after which you like a controlled way of freeing that potential over a quantity of time so it can be used for something that guy needs.
2016-09-29 07:37:45 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Indoor air in the winter is dry.
Dry surfaces tend to collect electric charges due to the fact that: (i) there is more friction; and, (ii) moisture tends to give charges a conductive path to move around, so charges meet and cancel each other.
Buy a humidifier, and don't walk around in your socks. Try washing you hands more often, since water will help draw off charges from your body.
2007-02-18 15:29:43 · answer #4 · answered by Randy G 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are probably in a dry area when you got shocked. If there was a higher humidity you probably would not get a shock.
2007-02-18 15:27:17 · answer #5 · answered by eric l 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The cold weather helps induce charge, but there is no general rise in electicity.
2007-02-18 15:28:38 · answer #6 · answered by Nick 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋