Physics of static electricity and safety risks

Static shocks occur when there is an imbalance of protons and electrons in an object or the human body. While objects are typically electrically neutral, friction, contact, or the separation of different materials can cause a transfer of electrons from one surface to another, creating an excess charge.

According to Valentina Martelli, a professor at the University of São Paulo's Institute of Physics, this difference in potential causes electrons to redistribute rapidly upon contact with a body in a different electrical state, resulting in a shock that can range in intensity and pain.

While most static shocks pose no significant health risk, they can be dangerous in specific environments. Physicist Pedro Alvarez, a doctoral student at the University of Oldenburg, warns that the sparks generated by static electricity can ignite flammable gases like gasoline. Consequently, workplaces with high concentrations of flammable gases must implement adapted environments and provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent charge accumulation.