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