Here is the shocking truth
Materials, such as plastic, cloth or glass, are insulators.
It may be a little shocking, but National Static Electricity Day is January 9.
Static electricity is different from the electrical current carried by wires through a building or transmitted by the electric companies. Static electricity is produced when the positive and negative charges of an atom are out of balance.
The atoms of some materials hold their electrons tightly. These materials, such as plastic, cloth or glass, are insulators. The electrons of these materials do not move very freely.
The electrons of other materials, such metal, move more freely and are called conductors.
When two insulators are rubbed together, electrons are transferred causing a positive and negative charges. Opposites do attract. Atoms with a positive charge become attracted to atoms with a negative charge. This is evident when a balloon that has been rubbed against ones head and the hair clings to the balloon.
Remove the balloon and the hair may stand on end. In this circumstance, the hair has the same charge (either positive or negative). Items with the same charge repel each other.
At some point these charges need to be put back in balance, and the static electricity is discharged. This occurs when an insulator comes in contact with a conductor, such as piece of metal.
How to Avoid the Shock of Static Electricity
The drier air of winter months is a better insulator than the more humid air of summer. To help prevent static electricity, use a humidifier to put moister back into the air in your home during the winter months.
Our skin is drier in the winter months, too. Putting on moisturizer before getting dressed is recommended.
Synthetic fabrics are better insulators. Wearing fabrics made from natural fibers such as cotton will help reduce the amount of static electricity that’s stirred up.
While walking around the house, at work or shopping, holding a key or a metal pen in your hand will help discharge the the build up of static electricity painlessly.
Switching to leather soled shoes versus rubber soled shoes will help reduce the amount of static that is built up.
Want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us an SMS/ WhatsApp message with your name and cellphone number to 079 414 6709.
Familiarise yourself with our WhatsApp service disclaimer.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites Randfontein Herald, Krugersdorp News and Get It Joburg West Magazine
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
