Electrons and Electricity

Abstract

The spark which you sometimes feel after walking on a nylon carpet or taking off a synthetic fibre sweater is often called static electricity. In fact, as you will find out, there is nothing at all very static about sparks. Static effects are caused by the build up of electrons, electric ‘charged’ particles. Frictional forces may cause an electron to be freed from its atom. The resulting attraction between positively charged atoms, called ions, and free electrons will cause them to be forced together again. A spark occurs at the place where the electrons rush towards the positive charges.