A student reaches to open a door and gets a small electric shock. She knows that the shock is caused by static electricity, but it seems like in the winter she gets shocked more than in the summer. The student asks her science teacher if there are times of the year when there is more static electricity that builds up than other times of the year. The teacher replies that there is, and it depends on the humidity, or moisture in the air. The more humid the air is, the less static will build up and, therefore, the less you get shocked.

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Chapter7: Electric Potential
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A student reaches to open a door and gets a small electric shock. She knows that the shock is caused by static electricity, but it seems like in the winter she gets shocked more than in the summer. The student asks her science teacher if there are times of the year when there is more static electricity that builds up than other times of the year. The teacher replies that there is, and it depends on the humidity, or moisture in the air. The more humid the air is, the less static will build up and, therefore, the less you get shocked.

 

Explain why static electricity does not build up as much when the air is humid. In your response, be sure to include:

  • an explanation of static electricity is formed.

  • an explanation of why the student felt a shock when reaching for the door handle.

  • an explanation of how moisture in the air allows static electricity to dissipate.

 

Be sure to consider the completeness of your response, supporting details, and accurate use of terms.

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