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YSK how to avoid static shocks when touching metal objects like door handles
YSK how to avoid static shocks when touching metal objects
YSK how to avoid static shocks when touching metal things
Just touch something not made of metal that’s attached to the ground (like a wall) right before touching whatever it is you’re trying to touch.
For this curious why this works:
Your body builds up electrons over time as a result of stuff like friction with clothes and bodily processes. Normally, these electrons constantly get transferred to the ground you’re standing on, but the rubber soles in most shoes act as insulators that keep the built-up electrons from escaping your body.
The water in the air usually lets the electrons escape anyway, but when the humidity is low, there’s not enough water to take away all the electrons we accumulate. This is why static shock happen more often in winter; colder weather usually means lower humidity.
When you touch a metal object that is grounded (it has a non-insulated path to the ground), the electrons jump from your body to the object through the minuscule point of contact, all in a very small amount of time. That many electrons moving through a single spot causes a small jolt of pain.
When you touch a non-metal grounded object, the electrons take longer to move from your body to the object, so you don’t feel a shock. But your body now has the same electrical charge as the ground, so touching a metal object soon after doesn’t give you a shock either. So, quickly & lightly tapping a wall or the wooden part of a door before grabbing the knob will let you open the door without the annoyance of being zapped.
Why YSK: Static shocks are really annoying, and I always have an instinctive hesitance to open doors with metal handles if I know static shock is possible.
#education
YSK how to avoid static shocks when touching metal objects
YSK how to avoid static shocks when touching metal things
Just touch something not made of metal that’s attached to the ground (like a wall) right before touching whatever it is you’re trying to touch.
For this curious why this works:
Your body builds up electrons over time as a result of stuff like friction with clothes and bodily processes. Normally, these electrons constantly get transferred to the ground you’re standing on, but the rubber soles in most shoes act as insulators that keep the built-up electrons from escaping your body.
The water in the air usually lets the electrons escape anyway, but when the humidity is low, there’s not enough water to take away all the electrons we accumulate. This is why static shock happen more often in winter; colder weather usually means lower humidity.
When you touch a metal object that is grounded (it has a non-insulated path to the ground), the electrons jump from your body to the object through the minuscule point of contact, all in a very small amount of time. That many electrons moving through a single spot causes a small jolt of pain.
When you touch a non-metal grounded object, the electrons take longer to move from your body to the object, so you don’t feel a shock. But your body now has the same electrical charge as the ground, so touching a metal object soon after doesn’t give you a shock either. So, quickly & lightly tapping a wall or the wooden part of a door before grabbing the knob will let you open the door without the annoyance of being zapped.
Why YSK: Static shocks are really annoying, and I always have an instinctive hesitance to open doors with metal handles if I know static shock is possible.
#education
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