Chapter 3
Static Electricity
Static Electricity:
Static electricity is the electricity that builds up on a surface when two
materials are rubbed together.
When two surfaces come into close contact and then separate after
friction, electrons transfer from one surface to the other. The charge
stays on the same surface instead of flowing away. That is why it is
called static electricity.
For example, when a glass rod is rubbed with silk, electrons move
from the glass to the silk. As a result:
Glass rod becomes positively charged
Silk becomes negatively charged
Since this charge remains on the surfaces and does not move, it is
called static electricity. It is also known as frictional electricity.
Theories of static electricity:
For explaining various circumstances regarding electricity various
theories have been given in various time till now the following 5
theories are available:
1. Two-fluid theory
2. One-Fluid theory
3.
4.
5. Modern theory
Now they are shortly described below:
1. Two fluid theory:
According to this theory, every material contains two types of fluids
with opposite charges (positive and negative). Under normal
conditions, these fluids are present in equal amounts, so the material
remains electrically neutral. When friction occurs, one type of fluid
transfers from one material to another. As a result, one body gains
excess charge while the other loses it, leading to the generation of
static electricity.
2. One-Fluid Theory:
This theory was proposed by William Watson and Benjamin Franklin.
According to this theory, everybody contains a definite amount of a
single, indestructible electric fluid. When a body gains an excess of
this fluid, it becomes positively charged, and when it loses some of
this fluid, it becomes negatively charged.
3.
Proposed by Michael Faraday, this theory explains that static charges
can produce an electric current when they are allowed to move
through a conducting medium. In other words, when accumulated
charges are driven through a circuit (for example, by an
electrochemical cell), they constitute an electric current. Faraday also
emphasized that electrical effects are transmitted through a
surrounding field, rather than by direct action at a distance.
4. Lorentz Theory:
Proposed by Hendrik Antoon Lorentz, this theory states that positive
and negative charges are not two different types of fluids; rather, they
are associated with oppositely charged particles. In this view,
electrical phenomena arise from the presence and movement of these
charged particles within matter.
5. Modern theory (Electron Theory):
In modern physics, earlier fluid-based theories have been replaced by
the electron theory of matter. According to this theory, every atom
consists of a positively charged nucleus (due to protons) surrounded
by negatively charged electrons. In a neutral state, the number of
electrons is equal to the number of protons. When an atom gains extra
electrons, it becomes negatively charged; when it loses electrons, it
becomes positively charged. Thus, static electricity is explained by the
transfer of electrons from one body to another.
Measurement of magnitude of charge:
The amount of static charge present on a material is expressed in
terms of the magnitude of charge. This can be measured using a
Faraday cylinder (also known as a Faraday cup).
In this method, the charged material is placed inside the cylinder. The
presence of the charged body induces an equal and opposite charge
on the inner surface of the cylinder. Consequently, an equal charge of
the same sign appears on the outer surface of the cylinder. This
charge is then transferred to a condenser (capacitor).
The potential difference (V) across the condenser is measured using a
voltmeter. If the capacitance (C) of the system is known, the total
charge (Q) can be calculated using the relation:
Q=CV
Where:
Q = amount of charge induced in the condenser
V = potential difference measured by the voltmeter
C = Known Capacity of the whole system.
Problems Created due to state Electricity:
Static charge causes different problems in textile materials and
processing. Some are given below:
Similar charges repel each other. This makes handling
difficult. For example, filaments separate, slivers balloon, and
fabric does not fold properly.
Opposite charges attract each other. This causes garments to
stick together and creates problems in opening parachutes.
Static charge attracts dust and dirt strongly, which is hard to
Charged fibres are attracted to earthed machine parts. This
happens especially in carding.
High static charge may create sparks, which can cause fire or
explosion. It is dangerous in places with flammable gases.
Large static charge can give electric shock to workers.
Due to static charge, loose fibres stick to fabric and cannot be
removed easily, causing problems in dyeing and finishing.
While passing over guides, roving faces more friction and may
break. Also, winding becomes difficult due to attraction or
repulsion.
Method of Minimizing Static Problems:
Static electricity in textiles can cause many problems. It can be
reduced in the following ways:
1. Processing aids:
Using conductive liquids like oil or emulsion reduces friction
between materials, which helps reduce static charge
formation.
2. Moisturizing (humidity control):
Increasing the moisture in the air reduces the resistance of
materials. This allows charges to move away easily, reducing
static buildup.
3. Radioactive materials:
These materials ionize the air, which helps neutralize static
charges and reduces their formation.
4. Antistatic agents (finishing treatment):
In synthetic fiber production, antistatic chemicals are applied
during finishing to prevent or reduce static charge.
5. Earthing (grounding):
Connecting machine metal parts to the ground allows static
electricity to safely discharge and become neutral.
6. Conductive fibres:
Blending conductive fibres with normal fibres helps discharge
static electricity and reduces static problems.
Various hypothesis of charge transfer:
There are different explanations for how charge is transferred and
static electricity is formed. In general, when two materials come into
contact and their electrical conditions are not balanced, charges are
exchanged between them.
However, this simple idea does not fully explain charge transfer in
good insulators, because insulators do not have enough free electrons
or ions to allow easy movement of charge. Therefore, different
mechanisms are used to explain how charge transfer happens in such
cases.
1. Potential difference:
When two metals that have different electrical potentials come into
contact, charge transfer takes place. This happens because the two
metals have different energy levels. This is shown in fig below in
between two metals A and B.
If metal A and metal B are brought into contact, electrons will flow
from one metal to the other.
This electron flow continues until both metals reach the same energy
level and the potential difference becomes zero.
2. Nature of charge & their distribution:
When two surfaces come into contact, any existing charged particles
on them redistribute themselves. They spread out and settle into a
balanced state depending on how strongly each surface attracts
different types of charges.
This idea is especially important for polymers that have ionic end
groups.
For example, acidic polymers tend to lose positive ions and become
negatively charged. On the other hand, basic polymers tend to lose
negative ions and become positively charged. Because of this
exchange of ions, charge transfer occurs between the surfaces.
3. Asymmetric rubbing:
When two surfaces rub against each other unevenly, they heat up
differently. This creates a temperature difference (thermal gradient) at
the contact area.
Because of this difference, small movable particles gain more energy
on the hotter side and tend to move toward the cooler side.
This movement of particles due to heat difference leads to charge
transfer between the surfaces. This phenomenon, often associated
with the Triboelectric Effect.
4. Double layer:
Sometimes a surface has two layers of opposite charges, or it contains
groups that can form ions.
When two surfaces rub against each other, this layered charge can be
partially removed from one surface and transferred to the other. As a
result, one surface loses some charge while the other gains it, leading
to charge transfer and static electricity formation.
5. Piezo-electric polarization:
When pressure is applied between two surfaces, some materials can
develop separated positive and negative charges. This effect is called
piezo-electric polarization.
It mainly occurs in crystalline or well-oriented molecular structures.
For example, Martin showed that wool can develop charge separation
when it is pressed or rubbed due to this effect.