Static Electricity: The result of an imbalance of electrical charge

Atoms are electrically neutral, with the same number of protons and electrons. An
atom with extra electrons or less electrons is an ion – a charged atom.

Objects can be charged by friction:

Materials which allow electricity to flow freely are conductors – e.g. metals. Other
materials do not allow electricity to flow freely – insulators. Insulators can, however, be
given an electrical charge by rubbing them.

An uncharged plastic rod is rubbed with an uncharged cloth. Both gain an electrical
charge. Electrons flow from one to the other, giving one of the objects a positive
charge, and the other a negative charge. Charge is not created, but transferred.

There are forces between charges:

Charged objects exert electrostatic force on other charged objects without being in
contact with them. Like charges repel, while opposite charges attract.

Earthing is providing a path for the charges to escape – e.g. to the ground. The charge
is usually released as a spark.

There are also forces between charged and uncharged objects:

If a balloon is charged by friction, it will stick to an uncharged wall. Assuming the
balloon has a negative charge, it will repel the electrons in the wall, giving the wall a
slightly positive charge. Thus, the balloon will stick to the wall. The wall has an induced
charge.

Uses of static electricity:

– Electrostatic painting: Paint particles are given a positive electrical charge by
a spray gun: the paint particles spread out (like charges repel). The object which
is being painted is given a negative charge, attracting the paint particles. The
object receives an even coat, reducing time wastage. Even parts which the
operator cannot see are painted.
– Inkjet printing: Ink droplets are given an electrostatic charge, and pass
between two metal plates. By controlling the voltage and thus charge of these
metal plates, the ink droplet is directed to the right place on the page. The ink
droplets form an image.
– Photocopier: An image of the page you want copied is projected onto a rotating
selenium drum, which loses its electrical charge when light is shone onto it. A
black carbon powder, toner, is attracted to the charged areas. The drum then
rotates over a sheet of paper, and the paper is heated, melting the toner and
forming a permanent image.
– Electrostatic precipitator: This is used in factories and power-plants to
reduce the environmental impact of waste gases. Dust and smoke particles pass
through a charged 50 kV metal mesh, and attracted to a earthed, positively
charged metal plate. The waste gases escape, while the metal plates are
knocked with a mechanical hammer to knock off the dust into a collecting bin.
Dangers of static electricity:
– TV / Computer screens become charged with static electricity, attracting light
uncharged dust particles.
– Gasoline is an insulator: as it passes through a hose it builds up a charge
through friction. The high charge could cause an explosion due to sparks. The
hose is earthed to prevent this.