Before we discuss the significant difference between static electricity and current electricity, let us first understand electricity and its characteristics.
What is Electricity?
Electricity is briefly defined as the flow of electric charge. Now you might start wondering if electricity is defined as the flow of charges, then what is current? Electricity is a broad term encompassing all things associated with electric charges or current and its effects. Current, on the other hand, is the flow of electrons or charges across a given cross-section or area. Mainly, there are two types of electricity, and they are static electricity and current electricity. In this article, we will familiarize ourselves with these different types of electricity and understand how they differ from each other.
Explaining Static Electricity
The type of electricity in which electric charges remain at rest is known as the static electricity. Static electricity is generated by rubbing two static objects. When two static objects are rubbed against each other, electrons with weak bonds jump from one object to another. The objects that lose electrons become positively charged, and the objects that gain electrons become negatively charged. This results in a potential that develops between static objects, eventually resulting in static electricity.
Where is Static Electricity used?
Static electricity has many real-world applications. It is mainly used in printers and photocopiers where static electric charges attract the ink, or toner, to the paper. Their other uses include paint sprayers, air filters, and dust removal.
Some damages it can cause
Certain electronic chips are extremely sensitive to static electricity. There are special bags to store electrical components in so they don’t get destroyed by static electricity
Explaining Current Electricity
The electricity produced due to the movement of electrons is known as current electricity. Current electricity only develops in materials with free electrons. A magnetic field is associated with current electricity. Alternating current (AC) and Direct Current (DC) are two types of current electricity. In an alternating current, the current flows in both the direction while direct current flows only in one direction.
Where is Current Electricity used?
Current electricity is used in powering everything from powering lights to trains. Most of the electricity that we use comes in the form of alternating current.
Some damages it can cause
Electrical injury is a physiological reaction caused by current electricity passing through the body. Larger currents may result in cardiac arrest.
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Static electricity vs Current electricity
| Static Electricity | Current Electricity |
| It is a type of electricity that is built upon the surface of a substance. | It is a type of electricity that results due to the flow of electrons across a conductor. |
| Static electricity is induced due to the movement of negative charges from one object to another. | Current electricity is induced due to the movement of electrons. |
| Doesn’t induce a magnetic field | Induces a magnetic field |
| Exists for a short period of time | Exists for an extended period of time |
| This type of electricity develops both in insulators and conductors. | This type of electricity develops in conductors only. |
| Gold leaf electroscope measures static electricity. | Analog and digital meters measure current electricity. |
| Lightning strokes are a result of static electricity. | The current electricity is used to run our daily appliances. |
