Static Electricity Closing Car Door

In this video from the physics girl youtube channel host dianna cowern explains exactly why exiting your car can cause a nasty static shock when you touch the outside of it.

Static electricity closing car door.

The charge jumps from you to the metal door. As you slide across your car s leather seat to get out and go on your way your coat rubbing on the upholstery builds up an electrical charge. To get out of a car without getting shocked by static electricity either touch something that lets the charge balance out or prevent the static from gathering in the first place. Static electricity can be shocking and unexpected when exiting your car.

All that static electricity has to go somewhere of course and that s what s exactly happening as you close your door. Your car s body remains at ground or negative charge. Most shocks happen because you and the car have picked up opposite charges so try holding the metal frame as you get out of the car to balance the charge out. There s a lengthier and more scientific explanation to that and mr.

What can you do to stop it. Wool is a natural static electricity generator as is leather. The reason involves the differential potentials of materials in your car.