Learn about static electricity: Concepts, properties, applications and harmful effects

Static electricity is a phenomenon that exists around us every day, but not everyone understands it clearly. In this article, we will learn about static electricity, from its concept to its properties, applications and harmful effects.

Concept of static electricity

Static electricity is a phenomenon in which charged particles on the surface of an object do not move or move very little, creating an interactive force between objects. Charge can accumulate on the surface of an object or be transferred to other objects through contact or non-contact.

Static electricity can be created by many different causes, such as friction, electrical isolation or electrical separation. When two objects with different charges come into contact, the charge is transferred to the object with the lower charge, creating the phenomenon of static electricity.

Properties of electrostatics

Electric charge

Electric charge is a scalar quantity used to measure the amount of electric charge of an object. Charge is denoted by Q and the unit of measurement is Coulomb (C). Electric charge is of two types: positive and negative, corresponding to positive and negative charged particles.

The force of interaction between electrical charges

The force of interaction between two charges is calculated using Coulomb's formula:

F = k  (Q1  Q2) / r^2

In which, F is the interaction force, k is the electrical constant, Q1 and Q2 are two charges and r is the distance between two charges.

Electric field

An electric field is a space around an electric charge in which other charges will be affected by electric forces. Electric fields are represented by contour lines, in which points with the same electric field will lie on the same line.

Causes of static electricity

Static electricity can be created by many different causes, such as friction, electrical isolation or electrical separation.

Friction

Friction is one of the main causes of static electricity. When two objects come into contact and move with each other, the charged particles on their surfaces will be excited and separated from the original object, creating the phenomenon of static electricity.

Electrical isolation

Electrical isolation is the process of separating electric charge from one object to another through non-conductive spaces. For example, when you touch a balloon, your electric charge is transferred to the balloon through the non-conductive air.

Electrical separation

Electrical separation is the process of separating electrical charge from one object to another through contact. For example, when you touch a toothbrush, your electric charge is transferred to the toothbrush through contact.

Applications of electrostatics

Static electricity has many applications in life and industry. Here are some examples of applications of electrostatics:

Powder Coating

Powder coating is a method of using static electricity to apply paint to the surface of an object. This process is called electrostatic spraying. By using static electricity, the paint is attracted to the surface of the object and creates a uniform and durable paint layer.

Photocopiers

Photocopiers operate on the principle of electrostatics. During the photocopying process, a layer of positive charge is created on the surface of the photocopy drum and attracts ink from the paper. Paper is then placed on that surface and a negative charge is created to attract ink from the paper to the drum surface.

Electronic dust remover

An electronic dust remover is a device that uses static electricity to remove dust and other small particles from the surface of an object. This device works by creating an electrical force on the surface of an object, causing dust particles to adhere to the surface and then be collected by a filter.

Hairdryer

Hair dryers also use the principle of electrostatics to dry hair quickly. During the drying process, the machine will create a layer of positive charge on the surface of the hair, causing the water in the hair to be sucked out and evaporate.

How to measure and quantify static electricity

To measure and quantify static electricity, we can use devices such as electric scales, voltage meters or electric field meters. An electrobalance is used to measure the amount of charge on an object, while a goniometer is used to measure the electric field around an object. Electric field meters can measure both static and variable electric fields.

Harmful effects of static electricity on humans and the environment

Static electricity can cause many harmful effects to humans and the environment. Below are some of the main harmful effects of static electricity:

Dangerous for health

Static electricity can cause problems for human health, such as causing symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath or dizziness. In addition, static electricity can also cause respiratory, cardiovascular and neurological diseases.

Cause fire and explosion

Static electricity can cause serious harm in industrial environments, such as causing fires and explosions in potentially explosive areas. Accumulation of static electricity on the surface of flammable materials can cause dangerous fires and explosions.

Causes damage to electronic equipment

Static electricity can pose risks to electronic devices, especially in industrial environments. Static charges can cause malfunctions and damage to important electronic devices, affecting the operation of systems.

Measures to treat static electricity in industry

To minimize the harmful effects of static electricity in industry, electrostatic treatment measures are applied as follows:

Use antistatic materials

Some materials such as PVC, silicone rubber or carbon fiber are antistatic. Using these materials in manufacturing can help minimize the risk of static electricity.

Use electrostatic treatment equipment

Devices such as ion generators or electronic dust removers can be used to remove static electricity from objects. The use of these devices can help reduce the risk of accidents in industrial environments.

Adjust humidity in the air

Adjusting the humidity in the air can help minimize the harmful effects of static electricity. When the humidity in the air is high, the static charges are released and do not cause problems.

Interaction between static electricity and materials

Static electricity can interact with different materials in many different ways. Here are some examples of interactions between static electricity and materials:

Interaction between static electricity and metals

Metals are good conductors of electricity, so they can release static charge quickly. When two metal objects come into contact with each other, the charge will be transferred to the object with the lower charge, creating the phenomenon of static electricity.

Interaction between electrostatics and semiconductor materials

Semiconductor materials are less conductive than metals, so they can accumulate static charge for longer. When two semiconductor objects come into contact with each other, the charge will be transferred to the object with the lower charge, creating the phenomenon of static electricity.

Interaction between static electricity and insulating materials

Insulating materials have very poor electrical conductivity, so they can accumulate static charges over long periods of time. When two insulating objects come into contact with each other, the charge will not be transferred to the other object, creating a static electricity phenomenon between the two objects.

See more:

1. Types of vacuum bags
2. Types of anti-static bags