2 points extra credit to the first person who comments below with the correct response…
I was just walking in our carpeted hotel lobby towards the escalator. As I reached out to grab the escalator rail, I received a pretty substantial static-electric shock.
Using our studies of forces, briefly tell me why.
Static electricity is the buildup of electrical charges on the surface of some object or material. Static electricity is usually created when materials are pulled apart or rubbed together, causing positive (+) charges to collect on one material and negative (?) charges on the other surface. Results from static electricity may be sparks, shocks or materials clinging together.
Good start (or copy/paste), but which aspect of forces is at fault (hint… starts with an “f”)?
friction
You got it!
friction
Static electricity is the buildup of electrical charges on the surface of some object or material. Static electricity is usually created when materials are pulled apart or rubbed together, causing positive (+) charges to collect on one material and negative (?) charges on the other surface. Results from static electricity may be sparks, shocks or materials clinging together.