Static electricity is the build-up of electric charge on the surface of objects. It is called "static" because the charges remain in one area rather than moving or "flowing" to another area.

Causes of Static Electricity

Static electricity is caused by the imbalance of positive and negative charges on objects. When two objects rub against each other, the friction between them causes the transfer of electrons, leading to one object becoming positively charged and the other becoming negatively charged.

Examples of Static Electricity

Some common examples of static electricity include:

The shock you feel when touching a metal doorknob after walking on carpet
Balloons sticking to the wall after being rubbed on hair or clothing
Lightning during a thunderstorm

How Static Electricity Works

When two objects have opposite charges (one positive and one negative), they will be attracted to each other. However, if the objects have the same charge (both positive or both negative), they will repel each other.

Study Guide

Here are some key points to remember about static electricity:

Static electricity is the build-up of electric charge on the surface of objects.
Friction between objects causes the transfer of electrons, leading to the imbalance of charges.
Examples of static electricity include shocks from metal objects, balloons sticking to surfaces, and lightning.
Objects with opposite charges are attracted to each other, while objects with the same charge repel each other.

Remember to practice these concepts by experimenting with different materials and observing how static electricity behaves in everyday situations.