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Answers to Readers' Questions on Physical Science:

Controlling Static Electricity

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• Amusement slide gives shocks

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Amusement slide gives shocks

Question

December 24, 2004

I work at an attraction in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, called Wizard Quest. Inside our attraction we have several enclosed swirly playground slides. One of the biggest complaints we get concerns the massive shocks people get when sliding down these slides. I've been trying to come up with a solution for this, searching the Web for answers, but there don't seem to be any. I came across your article dealing with the control of static electricity, and although there is nothing in it regarding playground slides, I thought I might ask if you knew of any solutions, such as coating materials, grounding, etc. Anything you can suggest would be helpful. Thank you.

Bart - USA

5408

Answer

Skin or polyester clothes rubbing against the slide material can build up quite a charge. Typically, the shock comes from touching something metal, although people can get a shock touching another person. Covering metal parts near the end of the slide could help. Touching nonmetal grounded materials could also draw off some of the charges. A last resort would be to have people touch a metal pole with a coin or key to draw off the charges. But it is tough to ask people to do things in an amusement situation.

I hope these ideas help.

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