Static electricity is caused by a balance of electrical charges.

Static electricity is caused by a balance of electrical charges.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not sure
• D. Sometimes

Answer: (B)

Static electricity comes from an imbalance of electric charges on an object. When materials rub or touch, electrons can transfer, leaving one object with extra electrons (a negative charge) and another with fewer electrons (a positive charge). This difference creates an electric field and allows forces to attract or repel, or for a spark to jump when the charge becomes large enough. If charges were truly balanced, there would be no net charge and no static effects. So the statement is false because static electricity arises from an imbalance, not a balanced state. For example, rubbing a balloon on hair transfers electrons to the balloon, making it negatively charged and the hair positively charged, which explains why they attract.

Static electricity comes from an imbalance of electric charges on an object. When materials rub or touch, electrons can transfer, leaving one object with extra electrons (a negative charge) and another with fewer electrons (a positive charge). This difference creates an electric field and allows forces to attract or repel, or for a spark to jump when the charge becomes large enough. If charges were truly balanced, there would be no net charge and no static effects. So the statement is false because static electricity arises from an imbalance, not a balanced state. For example, rubbing a balloon on hair transfers electrons to the balloon, making it negatively charged and the hair positively charged, which explains why they attract.