static electricity
"Static electricity" is a common phenomenon where electric charge accumulates on an object's surface, often resulting in shocks or sparks when discharged.
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Definition
B2General
(common)The accumulation of electric charge on an object's surface, usually caused by friction.
Example
- You might feel a shock from static electricity when touching a metal doorknob after walking on a carpet.
C1Physics
(technical, academic)An imbalance of electric charges within or on the surface of a material, remaining until it is discharged.
Example
- Static electricity can be demonstrated by rubbing a balloon on your hair and then sticking it to a wall.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "static electricity":
electric chargeelectric dischargeelectric shockelectric currentelectric fieldelectrical fieldelectric energy