static electricity

what is static electricity?

Static electricity is electricity at rest. It is produced by friction, by rubbing. All matter contains positively charged particles called protons and negatively charged particles called electrons. In an uncharged atom, the protons and electrons balance each other and the atom is neutral. If this neutral atom loses an electron, because it has an excess of protons, it is said to be positively charged. If the neutral atom gains an electron, it is said to be negatively charged.

Rubbing can tear electrons loose from certain atoms. Some substances, because of the character of their atoms, tend to lose electrons and become positively charged; other substances gain electrons easily and become negatively charged.