In this article, we will learn about the Static electricity discharge mechanisms. When electric charge builds up in one substance after rubbing with the other substance that produces the Static electricity. When different fabrics are rubbed together, a spark appears between them. The static electricity discharge occurs in the cars when clothing rubs on the car seats.
The dry air and cold weather support this action. Even many accidents are noticed at the gas stations when a driver enters or gets off the car, especially on dry winter days. The static shocks one can feel even when touching the car handle or door.
Objective
The objective of the experiment here is to investigate the amount of static electricity produced by friction between car seats and different clothing. The project experiment is with the car seats made of leather and cotton to compare with different clothing materials like cotton, nylon, silk, etc.
Theory-To proves that leather car seats produce more static electricity than other material seats.
Static electricity discharge Abstract
Static Electricity is a mass on any surface of a substance that could create static shocks of electricity. The cause attributes to the friction between two materials. Every object comprises atoms that have a nucleus made of neutrons & protons and electrons moving around them.
The effect of the triboelectric shows after the friction between two materials. The triboelectric effect relates to the occurrence of adhesion, where two materials composed of different molecules attract each other. When these two materials come in contact, the exchange of electrons happens. When the material separated, many electrons stay back on the material causing static shocks.
Procedure
Material for the Project Experiment- Balloon, Copper plate, jumper wire with crocodile clips, 1 leather car seat, 1 fabric car seat, 1 piece each of nylon, silk, cotton & Polyester, paper, a paper-knife, ruler, and a tray.
Preparations
- The idea of the static electricity discharge experiment is to observe the most static shock-prone material cotton or leather in comparison to other fabrics.
- Copperplate connected to the ground connection.
- 200-pieces of papers cut to a 2-inch square and one inflated balloon all discharged, and placed on the grounded copper tray, then on the tray.
Experiment
- To start the static electricity discharge experiment rub the balloon 5 times in one direction with a cotton cloth then place cut paper pieces on the cotton seat. Bring balloon near the paper and check how many pieces stick to the balloon and record it. Discharge papers on the copperplate then place them back on the tray.
- Discharge balloon also and repeat rubbing 5 times by the cotton cloth then placing the papers and the leather car seat. Then record how many paper pieces stick on the balloon.
- Adopt the same process with the rest of the fabric pieces and record.
Observe the results
The paper attracted to Cotton seat and Leather seat with: –
- Cotton 3:33 (3 papers attracted to Cotton seat and 33 to Leather seat)
- Polyester 19:27
- Nylon 21:29
- Silk 33:43
Conclusion
The static electricity discharge experiment thus proves that Leather car seats produce more static electricity than other fabric seats. The leather seats are inflammable when humidity is low in winters. A spark can prove dreadful, especially when someone gets out of the car in a gas station.