Static Electricity discharge question

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the phenomenon of static electricity discharge, specifically addressing why one person feels a sting when discharging static electricity while another person receiving it may not. The conversation explores the mechanisms behind the sensation of pain associated with static discharges and the biological effects on skin cells.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asserts that the sensation of a sting is not exclusive to the discharger, as they have experienced it themselves and suggests that this is due to a phenomenon called Crown Discharge.
  • Another participant questions the claim that electrons can kill cells, stating that a certain current density is required for cell damage, and static discharges typically have high voltage but low current.
  • It is proposed that while static electricity can cause a sting, the current density during the discharge is very high but instantaneous, limiting potential harm.
  • A participant introduces the idea that the sensation of pain may arise from triggering sensory nerves rather than damaging skin cells, referencing historical literature on the subject.
  • There is a question about whether skin cells are killed during the discharge and how this relates to the differing sensations experienced by individuals involved in the discharge.
  • Another participant emphasizes that pain perception can occur without damage to the skin, as it may only require a small stimulus to activate nerve endings.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the relationship between static electricity discharges, pain sensation, and potential cellular damage. No consensus is reached regarding the mechanisms involved or the experiences of individuals during static discharges.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the specific mechanisms of pain perception and the effects of static electricity on skin cells, as well as the conditions under which individuals experience sensations differently.

Red_CCF
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Why is it that someone who discharges static electricity feels a sting but the person who is receiving the static electricity doesn't feel anything?

Thanks
 
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That's not true actually. Many times i felt the sting while the other also did. Anyhow, let's get into what really happens when this static electricity causes "stings". This is called Crown Discharge and happens when the tension between two point separated by air overpasses a certain value (relatively high) then the air becomes a conductor and so the charges move trough it. The sting felt is due to the electrons them selves as they are quite energetic and kill some cells what makes you feel the little sting.

Any correctios are welcome :)
 
Zaphys said:
That's not true actually. Many times i felt the sting while the other also did. Anyhow, let's get into what really happens when this static electricity causes "stings". This is called Crown Discharge and happens when the tension between two point separated by air overpasses a certain value (relatively high) then the air becomes a conductor and so the charges move trough it. The sting felt is due to the electrons them selves as they are quite energetic and kill some cells what makes you feel the little sting.

Any correctios are welcome :)

How does the electrons gain energy? And does electrons kill cells as they arrive or leave someone
 
Red_CCF said:
And does electrons kill cells as they arrive or leave someone
In order to kill a cell you need a certain current density. Static electricity discharges have a very high voltage, but a very low current, so they generally won't kill cells significantly.
 
But enough to make you feel a little sting. In the certain region where the spark is produced the current density is quite high. But it's "instantaneous" (very very sudden) therefore no more harm is caused.
 
Hang on, this is a bit more involved, I think.

Clearly, damaging the epidermal skin layer (which is mainly dead keratin) is different from triggering a sensory nerve. Apparently, one can produce a pain sensation by applying a localized electrical stimulus (Bishop, Physiol. Rev 26, 77-102, 1946), but I don't know if the specific mechanism has yet been elucidated.
 
So does skin cell usually get killed in the person who discharges causing the sting? If so how does that work because I've tried to shock other people but I've always felt the sting while the other person said they didn't feel anything
 
Andy Resnick said:
Hang on, this is a bit more involved, I think.

Clearly, damaging the epidermal skin layer (which is mainly dead keratin) is different from triggering a sensory nerve. Apparently, one can produce a pain sensation by applying a localized electrical stimulus (Bishop, Physiol. Rev 26, 77-102, 1946), but I don't know if the specific mechanism has yet been elucidated.

Pain perception is through bare nerve endings in the dermis of the skin. It would take only a very tiny stimulus to "trigger" them without any damage, and static electricity qualifies.
 

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