Question

Can rubbing cause static electricity?

Answer 1

Hint: Static electricity is a phenomenon which occurs when there is an imbalance of charges between two objects or surfaces. There are various applications of static electricity. It occurs between objects which are insulators because only insulators can retain charges, the charges will flow in conductors.

Complete answer:
Every uncharged body contains an equal number of positive and negative charges but when an imbalance of charges is caused which leads to one body having more number of positive charges while the other body has more number of negative charges, and then it causes static electricity. Static electricity is the flow of current due to imbalance of charges.
The imbalance of charges remains unless it is removed by flow of current between the bodies containing an unequal number of positive or negative charges. Static electricity usually occurs in insulators as insulators can retain the charges whereas in conductors, the charges would flow.
When two objects rub against each other, electrons move from one object to the other due to which one of the bodies have less electrons and hence positive charge while the other has more number of electrons and hence negative charges, this causes static electricity to build up between the objects.
Therefore, rubbing can cause static electricity.

Note:
Positive charge is lack of electrons while negative charge is more number of electrons. Objects can stick together or experience flow of a small current through them due to static electricity. In order to create static electricity, one of the surfaces must have a high resistance.