static electricity

Electric charge that is stationary, usually acquired by a body by means of electrostatic induction or friction. Rubbing different materials can produce static electricity, as seen in the sparks produced on combing one's hair or removing a nylon shirt. The frictional force causes electrons to move out of their orbits. The electrons are then transferred to another material. The material that gains electrons becomes negatively charged and the material that loses electrons becomes positively charged. In some processes static electricity is useful, as in paint spraying where the parts to be sprayed are charged with electricity of opposite polarity to that on the paint droplets, and in xerography.