The concept of a natural phenomenon called “static electricity” is known to most people from the school physics course. It describes the experience when finely chopped pieces of paper begin to stick to a worn hairbrush or an ebonite wand. The phenomenon under study is presented in this example as the attraction of heterogeneously charged elements, which is explained by the separation of charges due to the work of friction. However, in nature there are other manifestations of this effect, which are not at all like an experiment or an entertaining experience. Having become acquainted with them, it is easier to understand what static stress is and how it is possible to deal with it in production and in domestic conditions.
Determination of static electricity
By definition, static electricity as an effect is a dangerous phenomenon that threatens the health and practice of any person. In order to comprehend and understand its nature, it should be remembered that all known substances are composed of molecules, and the last of the smallest particles called atoms. At their center is a nucleus with protons and neutrons, and groups of electrons rotate around it in different orbits. The total charge of these particles corresponds to the same indicator for protons; therefore, the atom as a whole is neutral.
In some substances, negatively charged electrons are so distant from the center that, with the slightest violation of the energy balance, they move from their constant orbits. This usually occurs as a result of friction, when a small amount of thermal energy is released in a substance.
When electrons move away from the nucleus, it acquires a positive charge, and a significant number of particles with opposite charges (ions) appear in the body of the material. They are the source and main cause of the so-called "static electricity".
Causes of occurrence and manifestation
Static voltage occurs due to a violation of the general balance of electrically charged particles present in any matter. It is formed not only according to a pre-planned scenario: at the request of a teacher or experimenter. In practice, it is most often manifested without participation and contrary to his will.
A simple example: putting on clothing made from synthetic fabrics. Due to friction against the body and the subsequent occurrence of static charges, matter begins to snugly fit it and does not allow to give along the desired appearance. The only possible way out in this situation is to spray it with a special agent called “antistatic agent”. Only in this way is it possible to remove excess charge from the synthetic material.
Other characteristic causes of static charge formation are:
- noticeable temperature changes, which also occur very sharply;
- a high level of radiation, leading to an increase in electron energy and the appearance of heterogeneously charged particles in the material;
- the presence of strong induction and magnetic fields.
The first two reasons, due to which a person begins to “electric shock”, do not need special explanations. In contrast, magnetic induction seems to be a serious problem, especially recently.
With the constant increase in the number of household appliances, many of which have inductive elements, the influence of electromagnetic fields on a person increases dramatically.One of these manifestations is the electrification of the atmosphere due to the separation of air particles into charged electrons and ions, which is essentially the same manifestation of static electricity.
The gradual accumulation of risk factors associated with a wide variety of sources of foreign fields, has led to a separate direction in science, which is studying the degree of their danger. On the other hand, scientists have long been thinking about the beneficial properties of electrification and the possibility of putting this effect in the service of man.
Cons and pros of the manifestation of statics
The dangerous manifestations of electrostatics are primarily the constant friction of poor-quality clothes on the human body and the accumulation of electric charges on the skin. In the technical field, this effect is especially acute during the work of installers-specialists in soldering microcircuits. In this case, he threatens the failure of expensive chips or even entire devices assembled on their basis.
When assembling valuable and rare microchips, safety requirements provide for special measures of protection against these unpleasant manifestations.
In technologies related to the soldering of some microcircuits, electrostatic protection involves putting on a grounded bracelet on the arm, in the presence of which the danger is eliminated by the discharge of charges to the ground. Such preventive measures relate mainly to outdated K-MOS structures, which are increasingly being supplanted by modern microchips that have built-in protection against static electricity.
Danger to humans
The dangerous manifestations of statics as such include:
- lightning discharges accompanied by lightning - their cause is prolonged friction of air currents; by possible consequences, including fire hazard, they far surpass all other manifestations;
- the effect of charges on the biological cover (skin) and the appearance of strong irritations on it;
- dangerous and unpleasant discharges of electricity through the human body when touching metallic parts of ungrounded equipment.
The latter phenomenon has nothing to do with critical current surges caused by emergency situations when hazardous voltage enters the housing of a household appliance.
All these questions concern only the external side of the manifestations of static electricity, which can be eliminated with the help of technical means of protection. A closer examination of this process reveals that the effects of statics on somatics and the human body can lead to more serious consequences:
- systematic sleep disturbances;
- changes in the tone of the cardiovascular system;
- fatigue;
- the occurrence of problems with the nervous system;
- slight deviations in the work of muscle tissue.
Although these disorders are not very noticeable at first, over time, changes accumulate in the body that can lead to serious deviations. Poor sleep results in mental problems, which in turn leads to other diseases. The harm from this effect in this case is not in doubt.
Doctors recommend careful attention not only to the material of constantly worn clothing, but also to the choice of home bedding, on which a dangerous charge accumulates.
The benefits of statistical electricity
Many scientists and inventors tried to find ways to control static charge for the benefit of humans at one time. They developed bulky and very expensive units, the return on which remained, as a rule, very low. The only breakthrough in this area is the discovery by scientists of the so-called “corona discharge”.
The unique capabilities of this phenomenon are used not only in production, but also in ordinary living conditions.Due to the development of modern techniques for controlling electrostatic phenomena, they are widely used in the following technological processes:
- painting of frame bases, as well as surfaces of metal structures and other prefabricated products;
- gas purification from impurities in the mining industry;
- use in many areas related to the processing of materials (modern nanotechnology).
Coronary discharge has also found wide application in medicine, where it is used for the limited effect of electrostatic discharges on diseased organs of a person. In addition, on the basis of this effect, many devices have been developed that can ionize the air not only in production facilities and factory floors, but also in a typical city apartment. One of these useful inventions is an electrostatic filter designed to remove aerosol and mechanical particles from ambient air. Thanks to its use, it is possible to get rid of soot, soot and smoke, as well as from small dust particles that accumulate in excess in any modern house.
How to remove static electricity from a person and surrounding objects
Since the harmfulness of static electricity to adults and children has been proven by time, scientists have long been looking for ways to protect them from this dangerous phenomenon. Of particular importance is the issue of protection against statics of young children who are more sensitive to its manifestations. For all categories of users, several different approaches have been developed to remove the charge of static electricity that accumulates over time on the surfaces of any object.
The easiest way to get rid of the static accumulated on home equipment (on a personal computer or a washing machine, for example) is to ground them by connecting the housing to a special earth bus.
The simplest method of removing charge from any wearable thing is to periodically spray it with a spray bottle of water, which is a good ground.
To prevent a dangerous charge from accumulating on the car body, a special strip of conductive rubber (strap) is attached to its rear bumper. In addition, for long trips in personal vehicles, it is mandatory to study the issue of the inadmissibility of accumulation of charges due to a change in body position relative to the seat. As a result of the friction resulting from these cases, sometimes a sufficient amount of them accumulates, which often leads to a noticeable and unpleasant electric discharge. Therefore, you should periodically moisten the seats, spraying them with a special compact spray.
Personal protective measures
Electrostatic protection is a necessary measure, without which it is almost impossible to do without in modern life. To do this, a number of effective and efficient methods have been developed, using which it is possible to reduce the risk of static effects. First of all, this is the right choice of clothing for everyday wear, which is made on the basis of natural fabrics such as cotton, linen and similar fibers of non-synthetic origin. If you can’t do this, you will have to use modern electrostatic removal tools designed specifically for this purpose.
The easiest way to protect against electrical phenomena when wearing clothes is to use antistatic compounds that remove charge from the surface of the woven material.
Special washing powders, which contain special additives that neutralize the effect of the electrostatic effect, are widely used.
A competent approach to choosing shoes worn every day will help get rid of static electricity, which is no less important than the correct selection of fabric for clothing.To explain the peculiarities of human protection from the legs, it will be necessary to recall that it is easier for free charges, always present in the ground, to accumulate on rubber surfaces. If you choose shoes with soles based on leather for permanent wear, the reasons for the formation of electrostatics from the ground will be less.
At all enterprises whose employees are engaged in the production of high-precision and expensive electrical appliances and components for them, special shoes are issued. With its help, it is possible to secure modern microchips and other electronic parts from accidental breakdown by static electricity.
It is known from practice that water and a humid environment are a conductor of electric charges, so that they usually do not accumulate on wet surfaces. This procedure is carried out by applying special solutions and lotions to the skin of the hands and body. It is best to do this immediately before dressing, and then moisturize the exposed parts of the body throughout the working day. When accumulating a large number of charges on clothing worn at home, it is recommended to soak it for a short time, and then dry thoroughly in the open.
Static electricity in itself is a dangerous natural manifestation for humans, which can lead to a number of undesirable consequences and even serious illness. Therefore, the fight against it is given increased attention not only on an industrial scale, but also in domestic conditions.
