Can Static Electricity Repel Objects?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of static electricity, specifically whether it can cause repulsion between objects. Participants explore the nature of static electricity and its effects, questioning the common perception that it primarily causes attraction.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions if static electricity can repel objects, noting that it often seems to cause attraction.
  • Another participant affirms the possibility of repulsion, suggesting that there are examples that illustrate this phenomenon.
  • A third participant expresses appreciation for the clarification, indicating that they had previously only considered attraction as a result of static electricity.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion does not reach a consensus, as while some participants acknowledge the potential for repulsion, others focus on attraction without fully resolving the question.

Contextual Notes

Participants do not delve into the underlying mechanisms of static electricity or provide detailed examples of repulsion, leaving some assumptions unexamined.

RestlessMind
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I've been reading about static electricity, and I'm starting to get a handle on how it works. I have a big question; static electricity always seems to make things stick and what not, but is there such thing as static electricity repulsing?
 
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Draven said:
I've been reading about static electricity, and I'm starting to get a handle on how it works. I have a big question; static electricity always seems to make things stick and what not, but is there such thing as static electricity repulsing?

You betcha!
static_hair_kid.jpg


balloon-static-wall.jpg
 
Wow, what an excellent answer!
 
Lol!
 
Haha, good example Dave! I've always thought of it as "Lol a balloon attracts my hair" so I never thought of those obvious examples. Thanks for the easy answer!
 

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