... (because it has less electrons than it needs). The way you may have seen static generated at school is with a Van de Graaff Generator (see diagram). The motor turns the rubber band and friction between the band and the rollers starts to build up huge amounts of charge. This charge is then deposited on the metal dome, which is a conductor, but is insulated from everything else (like birds sitting on a power line), so it is able to store the charge. The charge can build up in a big way, causing voltages as high as 50,000 Volts. A shock from this doesn't kill you, as the actual amount of charged particles stored on the dome is so small. Earthing If enough charge builds up on an insulator, the charge can leap the gap, causing a spark. This can be prevented by discharging the object, gradually. This is called earthing. This is to do ...

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