Home >> Science & Nature >> Science

How to Create an Electrostatic Charge

Everything is made from atoms, which are made from positive and negative charges. Electricity that moves slowly or remains still is an electrostatic charge. Some materials, when rubbed, produce static electricity because of differences in the electrical charge. Fortunately, this energy form is weak, or else people would be electrocuting themselves regularly. Also, the weakness of the electrostatic charge makes it a safe form of electricity to experiment with, as long as you do not mind a little shock.

Things You'll Need

Garment made of polyester, wool, fleece, rubber or vinyl
Rubber or plastic comb
Conductor such as a doorknob

Instructions

- 1
  Wear clothing made of polyester. If not available, put on a garment with rubber, wool, fleece or vinyl in it. Skin and polyester have the right combination of positive and negative ions to generate an electric spark.
- 2
  Shuffle or drag your feet to generate electrostatic energy. Touch a metal object ̵1; such as a door knob or car door ̵1; to feel the spark caused by the electrostatic energy. If the lights are turned off, you can actually see the spark leap from your fingertip to the doorknob.
- 3
  Rub together two objects -- one positively charged and one negatively charged -- to generate electrostatic energy. The amount generated depends on the materials rubbed together. Certain materials tend to have more of a positive or negative charge. Dry human skin, leather, glass, human hair, nylon, wool, silk, lead, paper and aluminum have positive charges. Wood, amber, hard rubber, brass, silver, nickel, copper, gold, platinum, polyester, plastics, saran wrap, silicon and teflon all have negative charges.
- 4
  Use a hard rubber or plastic comb to comb your dry hair, since the hair is positive and the comb is negative. Higher humidity causes electricity to flow faster, as the water serves as a conductor. This eliminates the static electricity.

Science