Can you see static electricity

It's hard to say what the coolest part of this video is: the fact that you can literally see and hear electricity sparking off this guy's fingers like he's some kind of her from X-Men , the science behind the phenomenon, or his response of "Do you think it's measurable?

For the record, I'd be more likely to be screaming "Oh my god! So what's going on here? The buildup of electrons is not nearly as pronounced in summer. Warmer air holds more water, which allows electrons to travel. But you can lessen their frequency and intensity. Among the easiest and most efficient fixes is to humidify your home, providing the water vapor needed for electrons to roam. A quick spritz on clothes and furniture can take care of electron buildup.

Dryer sheets also can reduce static electricity. Rubbing them on carpeting once a week can lessen the risk of static shocks, but given the time and work involved, you might think a few zaps are worth spending more time watching TV. You may want to avoid rubber-soled shoes. Try leather-soled shoes instead. And maybe don't wear wool. The fabric is a more efficient conductor than cotton, meaning it can build up quite the static charge.

You may even hear the crackle of static electricity as you pull on that flannel shirt or wrap yourself in a wool blanket. First, avoid dressing in layers. Static buildup is a natural result of fabrics rubbing together, so the more layers you wear, the greater the odds of shocking yourself or others.

Quit laughing at us, Minnesotans. Of course, in the 18th century people mostly made use of static electricity in magic tricks and other performances.

Static electricity comes down to the interactive force between electrical charges. At the atomic scale, negative charges are carried by tiny elementary particles called electrons. Most electrons are neatly packed inside the bulk of matter, whether it be a hard and lifeless stone or the soft, living tissue of your body. However, many electrons also sit right on the surface of any material.

Each different material holds on to these surface electrons with its own different characteristic strength. This transfer of electrons — what we know as a spark of static electricity — happens all the time.

Infamous examples are children sliding down a playground slide, feet shuffling along a carpet or someone removing wool gloves in order to shake hands. But we notice its effect more frequently in the dry months of winter, when the air has very low humidity.

Dry air is an electrical insulator, whereas moist air acts as a conductor. This is what happens: In dry air, electrons get trapped on the surface with the stronger binding force. When electrons have nowhere to go, the charge builds up on surfaces — until it reaches a critical maximum and discharges in the form of a tiny lightning bolt.

Give the electrons a place to go — such as your outstretched finger — and you will most certainly feel the zap. Though sometimes annoying, the amount of charge in static electricity is typically quite little and rather innocent. The voltage can be about times the voltage of typical power outlets. However, these huge voltages are nothing to worry about, since voltage is just a measure of the charge difference between objects.