Where Does Lightning Come From?

"Static Electricity" is a type of natural electricity caused by natural elements around your surroundings. All objects can actually be electrically charge. So if a certain object has been charged-up and placed near another object, it will cause a small electric spark reaction. In some cases, it pulls the other object like the characteristic of a magnet.

Who first discovered static electricity?

Static electricity is nothing new in the field of science because it has already been discovered since the Ancient Greek period. According to the science history book, "Thales" was the person who first discovered static electricity. He was able to discover it by rubbing an amber into a silk-cloth then putting them near on small pieces of straws. As a result, the straws jumps up and stuck into the amber.

Scientists today have found out that the rubbing process of the amber onto the silk-cloth gave the object an electrical charge.

Glass-ball made out of amber material

Silk Fabric

Thales' successful experiment was very simple which can be safely performed by anyone. In fact, a lot of individuals made their own similar experiments on different objects.

One of the most common similar experiment is the use of a plastic comb and small pieces of paper. The amber is substituted by the comb where you can give it an electrical charge by combing your hair for at least one minute. When you're done, immediately hold your comb near the small pieces of paper. You will notice that the small pieces of paper gets attracted into the comb.

Benefits of Static Electricity

Natural static electricity that you often experiences on your daily life doesn't really bring any benefits to anyone. It's actually the opposite that causes problems.

The girl's hair are standing up at their ends due to static electricity

As an ordinary individual, simply walking over the carpet with your bare naked feet can cause static electricity to charge your body up. On this case, you may induce a static shock to another person when you touch him or her. Even by simply wearing jackets that are made of synthetic fabric can also produce static electricity felt by person wearing it.

A guy and his green colored synthetic jacket

In all electronic industries (especially those companies dealing with the sensitive Integrated Circuits/IC or micro-chips), static electricity is strictly being prevented. It's because it can easily damage the micro-chips.

16 Pins Integrated Circuit (IC)

Moreover, static electricity is being continuously studied by many scientists. As a result of their studies, they have discovered various means and products on how to prevent static electricity from being charged on a certain object.