Human body and static electricity

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SUMMARY

This discussion centers on the principles of static electricity and the human body's interaction with charged objects. It clarifies that a human body cannot be fully charged without becoming a positively charged plasma, as removing electrons disrupts atomic bonds. The conversation also emphasizes that a positively charged plate has an excess of protons and lacks electrons, and that a device generating a negative charge could theoretically allow a person to continuously shock others without receiving a shock themselves. The concept of creating a wearable device to achieve this effect is proposed but remains speculative.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic electrical concepts, including charge and electron flow
  • Familiarity with static electricity principles
  • Knowledge of atomic structure and electron behavior
  • Awareness of electrostatic discharge mechanisms
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of electrostatic discharge and its applications
  • Explore the design and functionality of devices like Tasers for personal safety
  • Investigate methods for generating and maintaining static electricity in wearable technology
  • Learn about the safety implications and regulations surrounding high-voltage devices
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for electrical engineers, inventors interested in wearable technology, and anyone exploring the practical applications of static electricity in personal safety devices.

vinniewryan
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Scenario:

If a human body is fully charged with positive electrons (protons/lack of electrons) and comes in contact with a pool of positive electrons such as a charged plate, the charge stays the same in the human body and the plate. Now if the human comes in contact with a source of negative electrons (another plate), the positive plate will discharge through the body, then the body will discharge, leaving a balance of electrons in the positive plate, body, and negative plate's electrons, because now all 3 will share an equal charge of positive and negative electrons, correct?

If so, there's really no way to constantly be shocked by an electrostatic force because upon discharge, the balance of electrons will be restored and there will be nothing to build an electromotive force. So, if a human were attached to a device that was generating a negative charge and burning off all positive electrons it comes in contact with, then the body could ultimately attract and be shocked by any positive charge it comes in contact with as it would never hold a positive charge?

edit: just pretend my above logic is correct, you know what I mean
 
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A couple of things here.
First, you cannot "fully charge" the human body, or really anything, by removing the electrons without it becoming a positively charged plasma. The bonds between atoms and molecules only exist because of the electrons. Take them away and not only do the bonds no longer exist, all that positive charge repels itself.

Second, a positively charged plate has an excess of protons and a lack of electrons. There are no positive electrons, only negative. (The antiparticle of an electron is a positron, which does have a positive charge, but that is irrelavent for this conversation)

Third, assuming you simply have an excess of negative electrons on a plate, which means it is at a high negative voltage in relation to a human body, the electrons would be transferred from the plate through the body to ground until the plate voltage was near neutral.

If so, there's really no way to constantly be shocked by an electrostatic force because upon discharge, the balance of electrons will be restored and there will be nothing to build an electromotive force. So, if a human were attached to a device that was generating a negative charge and burning off all positive electrons it comes in contact with, then the body could ultimately attract and be shocked by any positive charge it comes in contact with as it would never hold a positive charge?

If you are talking about a simple charged object, then no you would not be constantly shocked. The rest of your paragraph makes no sense though. Do you have a basic understanding of electricity?
 
I must have been smoking crack when I posted that, hence the edit. Yes, every instance of positive electron should have been proton.

As for the paragraph that made no sense, let me clearify by explaining the application. I'm trying to figure out how to make a device that would allow someone to become a constant source of static electricity that would not only shock someone else on contact, but constantly re-charge that person so it can continuously shock them without shocking the person wearing the device. It's only a concept, not sure if it's possible but if it is then I'm determined to find out how. Basically like a 'if you touch me you're going to regret it' device. Maybe on a belt clip or built into a shoe.
 
vinniewryan said:
I'm trying to figure out how to make a device that would allow someone to become a constant source of static electricity that would not only shock someone else on contact, but constantly re-charge that person so it can continuously shock them without shocking the person wearing the device. ... Basically like a 'if you touch me you're going to regret it' device. Maybe on a belt clip or built into a shoe.

Try one of these:
http://www.taser.com/products/personal-safety/taser-m26c

:smile:
 
Last edited by a moderator:

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