Static Electricity

• Only negative electrons are transferred in static electricity, leading to positive static charges due to the loss of negative charge, not the gain of positive protons
• Direction of electron transfer

  Depends on the specific materials involved
• Normally, the charges in materials cancel each other out, making most materials neutral overall
• In conducting materials like metal

  Electrons flow straight back, preventing charge build-up
• Development of potential difference

  As more electrons are transferred and the charge increases, a potential difference develops between the charged material and the earth or any earth object
• All materials contain charge because they contain positive protons and negative electrons
• Static electricity

  The build-up of charge on insulating materials that can cause sparks when discharged
• Charges can sometimes build up on conductors too, although it's less common
• Charge transfer in materials

  When materials are rubbed together, friction causes electrons to be rubbed off one material onto the other
• If the potential difference is large enough

  Electrons can jump across the gap, causing a spark
• In insulating materials like polythene rod and cloth

  Electrons can't flow back, leaving a positive static charge on the material that lost electrons and a negative static charge on the one that gained them