Interesting Static Eletricity Question

[assuredlonewo]

when a material becomes charged due to static electricity how come it does not stay charged or how come the atoms of the material do not become ions

 

[Drakkith]

The materiel will stay charged until the extra charge can be neutralized in some way. Typically, like in the case of touching a doorknob, the resulting transfer of charge can be shocking!

In other cases, a materiel can gradually lose its charge over a longer period of time simply due to a slow loss of electrons to the air or ground.