Zaphys said:That's not true actually. Many times i felt the sting while the other also did. Anyhow, let's get into what really happens when this static electricity causes "stings". This is called Crown Discharge and happens when the tension between two point separated by air overpasses a certain value (relatively high) then the air becomes a conductor and so the charges move trough it. The sting felt is due to the electrons them selves as they are quite energetic and kill some cells what makes you feel the little sting.
Any correctios are welcome :)
In order to kill a cell you need a certain current density. Static electricity discharges have a very high voltage, but a very low current, so they generally won't kill cells significantly.Red_CCF said:And does electrons kill cells as they arrive or leave someone
Andy Resnick said:Hang on, this is a bit more involved, I think.
Clearly, damaging the epidermal skin layer (which is mainly dead keratin) is different from triggering a sensory nerve. Apparently, one can produce a pain sensation by applying a localized electrical stimulus (Bishop, Physiol. Rev 26, 77-102, 1946), but I don't know if the specific mechanism has yet been elucidated.
Static electricity discharge is caused by an imbalance of electric charges on the surface of an object. This imbalance is usually due to friction between two materials, such as rubbing a balloon against your hair.
In most cases, static electricity discharge is harmless and may only cause a brief shock or spark. However, in certain situations such as in the presence of flammable gases, it can be a serious fire hazard.
To prevent static electricity discharge, you can try to reduce the friction between materials by using anti-static sprays or by wearing clothing made of natural fibers. You can also try to ground yourself by touching a metal object before coming into contact with sensitive equipment.
This is because walking on carpet can create a build-up of static electricity on your body. When you touch a metal object, the excess charges are discharged, resulting in a shock.
Yes, static electricity discharge can damage sensitive electronic devices by causing a surge of electricity that can disrupt or even destroy their circuitry. This is why it is important to ground yourself and handle electronic devices with care to prevent static electricity discharge.