Answers to Readers' Questions on Basics of Static Electricity - Succeed in Physical Science. Also refer to physics, static cling, attract, repel, triboelectric, atoms, electrons, negative, protons, positive, sparks, lightning, Ben Franklin, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions
Answers to Readers' Questions on Basics of Static Electricity
The following 234 questions have been answered. They are listed according to date.
List of first 10 items
- Does lightning come from the cloud or the ground?
- Stick papers to notice board
- Explain AC and DC for my project
- Negative effect of static electricity in daily lives
- What is a "static cling"?
- Can two positive charges ever attract each other?
- Questions on static electricity
- Does toluene lose electrons in a Teflon pipe?
- I am constantly getting shocked.
- Why does static electricity disrupt sound waves?
Does lightning come from the cloud or the ground?
Question
February 7, 2009
Does lightning come from the ground up ro from the clouds to the earth? I Hope to hear from you soon :) Bye
-Jacie
Jacie - USA
17229
Answer
The clouds build up the electrical charges, such that the lightning bolt will jump from that buildup to some other object. Thus, the first bolt of from the cloud to the ground.
But then the ground can get charged from the lightning bolt and send another bolt up to the cloud. It can go back and forth several times.
Stick papers to notice board
Question
August 28, 2008
dear sir
can i fix papers on the notice board using static electricity?
if yes how can i impliment it.
waiting for reply
abdul azeez - India
16423
Answer
The problem is that the static electricity leaks off in a short while and the papers will fall to the floor. Also, if the notice board is made of cork, the static electricity does not work well.
Explain AC and DC for my project
Question
July 20, 2008
i am doing a project all about static electricity at my school and i am doing it in a powerpoint presentation. it really helped me but could you explain ac or dc electricity? thanks for the help.
Rebecca - UK
16287
Answer
DC or direct current electricity usually comes from electrical batteries, although there are also DC generators available. DC electricity travels directly from one terminal of the battery to the other, thus its name.
AC or alternating current electricity is only created by an AC generator. The current first moves in one direction and then changes to move in the reverse direction. It is a more effective way to power electrical devices.
Note that both AC and DC travel through a wire and require a complete circuit with a wire going from one electrical terminal to another to work.
Static electricity is the collection of electrical charges on the surface of a material that is non-conducting or conducts electricity poorly. It creates a number of unusual effects. If you create a circuit from an object with positive (+) charges to one where negative (-) charges collected on the surface, using a wire or other conducting material, static electricity will behave like DC and can even light a small bulb for a short time.
I hope this helps in your project.
Negative effect of static electricity in daily lives
Question
June 17, 2008
I have a simple question to forward to you, Wat are the negative effect of static electricity on our daily basis.
alexander - Namibia
16099
Answer
Static electricity does not bother most people. But some people have problems with getting static electric shocks, especially in dry climates. Others may find their clothes sticking to them, especially synthetic fibers.
A positive effect is that static electricity is used in copy machines to make copies. It is also used in some air filters.
What is a "static cling"?
Question
April 10, 2008
What would you recommend for someone with a "static cling"? And while you're answering that, you might as well answer a REAL science question: What is a "static cling"?
Dezi - USA
15709
Answer
Static cling is when certain clothes seem to cling to your body or cling to each other. This can be seen when clothes, such as made of nylon or synthetic materials are taken from the clothes dryer. It also happens when wearing such clothes.
See our lesson on Static Cling for more information.
http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/static_cling.htm
Can two positive charges ever attract each other?
Question
April 4, 2008
can two positive charges ever attract each other under any circumstance?
akshatha - India
15651
Answer
The Laws of Physics state that positive electrical charges repel each other. They typically cannot attract each other. But there seems to be some special cases involving like-charged biomolecule ions attracting each other.
See: http://www.aip.org/pnu/2003/split/650-2.html for an explanation.
Questions on static electricity
Question
March 29, 2008
How can static electricity be used to control pollution?
How does an electroscope work to detect static electricity?
What happens t electrons during a lightning storm
Shaddy - Australia
15630
Answer
You need to look at the other static electricity lessons. Your questions are answered in:
http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/static_uses.htm
http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/static_detection.htm
http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/static_sparks.htm
Does toluene lose electrons in a Teflon pipe?
Question
February 23, 2008
When toluene flows through a teflon-lined pipe, does the toluene lose electron to teflon or the other way around?
Dilip - Pakistan
15422
Answer
We have a listing of static electric materials at http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/static_materials.htm
Teflon has a very strong attraction to electrons. We don't have a listing for toluene, but I assume it has less attraction than Teflon and thus would give up the electrons.
I am constantly getting shocked.
Question
February 21, 2008
I am contantly getting shocked. Hot, cold, humid, and dry. I walk on concrete all day and carpet when I get home. My computer sometimes goes on the fritz when I use it but someone else will try and it works. I will be at home, work, the store, and school. I can touch plastic and still get shocked. I tried changing the types of shoes I wear and I still get shocked. Any other suggestions on how to stop this. It gets a little annoying sometimes.
Tammy - USA
15408
Answer
Dry skin is a major culprit, especially if you are wearing clothes made of synthetic fibers. Try a skin moisturizer and wear 100% cotton clothes.
I hope that helps.
Why does static electricity disrupt sound waves?
Question
February 19, 2008
Why does static electricity disrupt soundwaves?
Andrew - USA
15394
Answer
Static electricity might disrupt electronic devices that create sound, but it does not really disrupt actual sound waves.
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Answers to Readers' Questions on Basics of Static Electricity