Uses and Dangers of Static Electricity

Dan Kimberley 10GB

Static electricity is to do with the charges on the surfaces of objects. The main concepts of
which being that similar charges repel, and opposite charges attract. These
characteristics mean that it is very useful. However, it can also be dangerous.
Here are some of the primary uses:

Uses
Photocopiers use static electricity to copy an image onto a charged plate before it is
printed. The original image is projected onto a positively charged plate. Toner particles and
negatively charged and are drawn to the image. The toner particles stick to the plate and an
image is created.
Industrial Chimneys use it to reduce smoke and dust by using an electrostatic precipitator.
In these, the smoke particles are negatively charged on their way up the chimney, but there
are plates at the top that are positively charged. The smoke is drawn to these plates, before
being knocked off. They have been prevented from leaving the chimney.
Electrostatic Sprayers use it to evenly paint things, creating an even coat with little paint
wastage. The paint is charged one way, and the object to be painted is given an opposite
charge. The paint is drawn to the object, as their charges are opposites, but its repelled by
the other paint molecules due to their similar charge, which makes the spray even.
Here are some of the primary dangers:

Dangers
Refuelling can be dangerous as when the fuel flows out, electrostatic charge builds up
which can produce a spark, which could potentially ignite the fuel.
Planes produce static electricity when they fly due to friction, which can interfere with
communication equipment.
Lightning is caused by raindrops moving against each other making the top of the cloud
positive and the bottom negative leading to a high voltage being created.