Tag Archives: positive charge

Mild static electric shocks from car doors

7 Mar

For the past few weeks, I get a mild shock by touching the metal part of the car-door, every time I get in or out of the car.  Believe me it’s as weird as it sounds. And it’s more annoying now, although i try to be extra careful and all, even then you do get in contact somehow and there you get a zap!

What in the God’s name is going on?

Well, it’s good to know that I’m not the only one, it’s a big nuisance to many. This mild shock is caused by human Electrostatic Discharge (ESD). A phenomenon in which transfer of electrostatic charge takes place between two bodies. It happens very quickly when two bodies carrying opposite charge come in direct contact with each other.

This charging results in one object gaining electrons on its surface area to become negatively charged. And the other object loses electrons from its surface area and becomes positively charged. The small electric shock you may receive from certain objects happens when you become triboelectrically charged. Tribo what?

Triboelectrically charged is a term used for the transfer/shifting/ releasing/loss of an electron from one body to another, after they come in contact with each other and separate. A simple procedure of Give & Take and Opposites attracts I must say.

How to Avoid getting one?

There’s not much that you can do about it but even then try these one’s out.

  1. Very dry cloth (nylon, silks, rayons and some polys) are more prone to create static.
  2. Try not to touch the metal part of the car. Light push on the window would close the door nice and easy.

So, don’t get charged,
don’t let it get you! 🙂