Static electricity is like a tiny invisible dance of charges. When you walk across a carpet in winter, your shoes rub against the carpet and take some extra electrons with them. These electrons make your body slightly negative. When you touch something else, like a doorknob, those extra electrons want to go back home quickly, giving you that tingly zap!
Examples
- Rubbing your hair with a balloon makes it stick to your head, and sometimes zaps your skin when you let go.
- Putting on a sweater made of wool on a dry day can cause your arms or legs to feel like they’re being electrified.
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See also
- What Causes the Northern Lights?
- How Does a Mirror Work Exactly?
- How Does Gravity Affect the Moon’s Orbit?
- What Causes a ‘Golden’ Sunset or Sunrise?
- How Does Gravity Affect Space Travel?