Static Electricity: Can You Still Get a Shock Off the Ground?

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Static electricity can still cause a shock between two people even if they are off the ground, as long as there is a charge difference between them. When person A, carrying an electrostatic charge, touches person B, a transfer of charge occurs, similar to discharging a capacitor. Being off the ground means neither person is earthed, but this does not prevent the transfer of charge. The peak current may be lower than if they were grounded, but a shock can still occur. Therefore, grounding is not a requirement for static discharge to happen.
Iamnotarobot120
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A (possibly stupid) static electricity question:

Person A is carrying an electrostatic charge. They touch person B, both get a shock.

If both persons were off the ground(eg hanging from ropes) ...would they still get a shock?
 
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Why wouldn't they?
 
Because neither are earthed?
 
The difference will be that A won't get completely discharged but its charge will be distributed over the two persons. Like discharging a capacitor on another one.
The peak current may be less than in the other case.
 
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Iamnotarobot120 said:
Because neither are earthed?

they don't have to be
as long as a charge difference exists between them, there will be a transfer of charge
 

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