Static electricity is an electric charge built up on persons or objects through friction. It is most familiar as an occasional annoyance in seasons of low humidity, but can be destructive and harmful in some situations. When working in direct contact with integrated circuit electronics, or in the presence of flammable gas, care must be taken to avoid accumulating and discharging a static charge.

Static electricity is electricity that does not flow in a current. Static electricity is generated by rubbing two nonmagnetic objects together. The friction between the two objects generates static electricity because the substance with an excess of electrons transfers them to the positively-charged substance. Usually, substances that don't conduct current electricity (insulators) are good at holding static electricity. These substances may include rubber, plastic, glass, or pith. The electrons that are transferred in static electricity are stored on the surface of an object.

See also

Circuits

Natural Historical Other