Static electricity often just seems like an everyday annoyance when a wool sweater crackles as you pull it off, or when a doorknob delivers an unexpected zap. Regardless, the phenomenon is much more ...

Purdue University physics professor Erica Carlson explains why static electricity is worse in winter and offers practical tips to avoid those annoying shocks.

Winter brings drier air inside and outside our homes, even in typically humid Southern areas. With less humidity comes static electricity and clothes that cling to your body. You may think the ...

Ancient Greeks discovered that when animal fur and amber were rubbed together, the fur could be used to attract feathers, glass dust and other lightweight objects. It wasn’t until 1600 AD, however, ...

Sebastian Deffner is affiliated with the Department of Physics at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC). Static electricity is a ubiquitous part of everyday life. It’s all around us, ...

While common home remedies to remove static may help in a pinch, the best anti-static spray for clothes will quickly and effectively tame static electricity. When selecting an anti-static spray, first ...

Static electricity shocks are more common in the winter because of the season's dry air. Friction between materials, like socks on carpet, builds up a static charge in low humidity. Using a humidifier ...