| To understand static electricity, one has to know | | | | electricity may result in malfunctioning of |
| the basics of atoms. An atom has a nucleus | | | | electronic hearing aids. Gasoline safety rules warn |
| consisting of Protons and Neutrons, and Electrons, | | | | against reentering a vehicle while it is self-filling. |
| which move around that core. Protons have | | | | There have been reported instances of fire |
| positive (+) charge; Neutrons are neutral; and | | | | erupting because the person coming out of the |
| Electrons have negative (-) charge. Normally an | | | | vehicle touches the nozzle without defusing static |
| atom has equal number of Protons and Electrons. | | | | electricity. Touching the metal part of the car |
| In that condition it is without any charge. But | | | | away from the filling point when the person gets |
| sometimes the electrons migrate. This causes a | | | | out can avoid this danger. |
| reduction in the negative charge and the atom | | | | It is essential to eliminate to the extent possible |
| becomes positive. An atom thus charged is called | | | | or control this motionless electric charge to avoid |
| an 'ion'. Rubbing materials against each other can | | | | the problems. The first step towards this is to |
| create the imbalance between Protons and | | | | measure and analyze static electricity. Effective |
| Electrons. | | | | instruments are available for this. Next, the |
| Electrons cannot pass easily through certain | | | | appropriate process should be selected and set in |
| materials that have insulating properties. When | | | | motion with the help of experts. Induction in which |
| such a shield exists, the charge that builds up | | | | tinsel is usually used is a simple and effective |
| remains static unless it is grounded or otherwise | | | | method. Grounding, where a conductive mat is |
| handled. Sometimes the voltage gradient reaches | | | | often employed, is an alternative. Another |
| an intensity that forces the insulator to break | | | | procedure is to use a static eliminator to neutralize |
| down. Lightning is an example of this. (Here, dry | | | | static electricity by ionization. |
| air is the insulator between the clouds that | | | | Static electricity is not always a villain. It is energy |
| sometimes carry static electricity.) | | | | that can be harnessed. Industry is also finding |
| Industry loses billions of dollars annually because of | | | | uses for it. To give one instance - for the In-Mold |
| damages caused by static electricity in several | | | | Labeling process, static electricity efficiently holds |
| ways. This energy can lead to problems in | | | | up the labels. |
| day-to-day life as well. For instance, static | | | | |