Humanity’s acquaintance with electricity was thanks to static electricity. The discovery that amber material, called ebonite rod, when rubbed against certain objects, attracts some small objects. is based on. Direct current and alternating current were discovered much later than static electricity, in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Although everyone has experienced static electric shock, which has been a part of our lives since the early ages, the number of people complaining about it has increased considerably in recent days. There are various reasons for this situation.
Static electric charge to the human body occurs due to friction and the environment.
Many of the items we wear are made of synthetic materials such as polyester and nylon. Moreover, we wear shoes that outweigh the plastic aspect. When these come into contact with the body in any way, they cause the body to be negatively charged. Since we wear plastic shoes, we cannot transfer it to the soil. The layers of clothing we wear in winter increase this effect even more.
In addition, we work together with computers and smart phones in office environments with a high electrical load.
As a result, when our body, which is loaded with ions, comes face to face with a neutral or electrically charged object, such as a door handle, car door, or even another person, it discharges all the load with a spark called “spark”. This causes an unpleasant sensation similar to an electric shock.
This happens more in dry weather conditions (usually in winter).
Because dry air is insulating and allows load to accumulate. The humidity in the environment directly affects the tension created. Therefore, it is important to humidify the environment where you work and live.
The positive charge is higher in closed areas, and the negative charge is higher in open areas, forested areas and in the natural environment. Therefore, going out to the natural environment also helps to get rid of static electricity. In addition, in vehicles such as air conditioners, devices that emit negative ions can be preferred. Stepping on the ground with bare feet is also a good method.
Although static electric shock can reach up to 8-10 thousand volts in places, it does not pose a serious danger.
However, people who work with flammable, explosive and flammable materials and sensitive electronic devices need to be extremely careful. For example, in the event that such a situation occurs in employees working at fuel stations, great disasters may be caused as a result of the flashing or explosion of the fuel. Also, sensitive electronic devices can break down. For this reason, it would be appropriate for those working in these areas to work in an arrangement where they can remove static electricity, for example, with a carbon bracelet or shoes that can transmit electricity to the ground.
It has been observed that people who play sports on carpet pitches exhibit a much more stressful and fight-prone structure than those who do sports on open and soil pitches.
In a study on this, it was determined that a serious static electricity charge was formed on people who did sports in these areas, and this affected the nervous system.
In order to personally avoid this situation, synthetic clothing should be avoided as much as possible.
We should prefer conductive materials in shoes and natural materials in clothes, such as cotton and linen products. In addition, the environment must be humidified.
Sources: Biophysicist Prof. Dr. Mustafa Tunaya Kalkan, Chemical Engineer Yusuf Mert Sönmez
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