[Jeanne]

Jeanne  asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Hi! I would like to know how I can get rid of body static?

When I wear certain materials they cling to me. I get shocks from metal objects frequently, such as car doors or light switches, also sometimes I give others shocks when I touch them?

Can you help?

What do you think?

[Chemistry4me]

Always keep yourself Earthed [] don't wear shoes!

[DrN]

I thought you only felt a shock when electricity passed through you, hence you should actually wear rubber shoes to stop the current flowing? Am I right or completely and utterly imagining things?

[Chemistry4me]

Well static electricity is when you have two materials in contact with each other, some of the charges redistribute by moving from one material to the other. This leaves an excess of positive charge on one material, and an equal negative charge on the other (you). When the materials move apart, each takes it's charge with it. One material becomes charged positively, and the other negatively (you) So when you touch a metal door handle or something, the door knob acts as a conductor and since you have extra electrons: ZAP!!! [] The electrons jump from you to the knob, and you feel the static shock!!

[Chemistry4me]

If you don't wear shoes that can't happen (the build up of charge), you must have been thinking about current electricity fishytails.

[DrN]

Ah, you're probably right!

[techmind]

The problem of static electricity is usually worst in cold dry weather. The air then becomes more insulating and does allow the static electricity to leak away as it does when the air is more moist.

Some people say that using fabric-conditioner in your washing can help as this leaves a slight amount of grease in the clothes which is mildly conductive. Depending on where the charge is coming from in the first place, this might be worth trying.

[Ashleigh Barnett]

someone once told me that if your all static-ed up, to touch a radiator and it'll get rid of the charge. I always assumed it was because radiators may be earthed in some way.

however, this has never worked for me- does anyone know if it's true?  It could have been told to me by the same person that let me believe thunder was clouds hitting each other until I was 12!!!

[techmind]

someone once told me that if your all static-ed up, to touch a radiator and it'll get rid of the charge. I always assumed it was because radiators may be earthed in some way.

If it's your body that is charged then (as long as the radiator isn't too thick with paint) it will work - you'll get a shock from the radiator when you touch it. On the other hand, if your insulating clothes are charged then you touching the radiator won't help a lot.

[...lets split up...]

Water helps, could always jump into a pool, but that would probably ruin your hair.