Static Electricity: Does it Attract Food Waste?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around whether static electricity can attract food waste, exploring the conditions under which static electricity generates force, and examining related phenomena such as the behavior of dry rice grains in a plastic container. The scope includes conceptual clarifications and exploratory reasoning about static charge and its effects.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question if food waste is attracted by static electricity and what conditions are necessary for static electricity to generate significant force.
  • There is a discussion about the role of different charges in creating forces via electric fields, with some participants seeking to clarify what is unique about static charge and static electricity.
  • Participants mention that static charge can be either positive or negative, while static electricity is described as a process, though this definition is contested.
  • One participant shares an observation about dry rice grains sticking to a plastic container and proposes several explanations, including charge induction and the possibility of personal charge or coincidence.
  • Another participant expresses uncertainty about the conditions leading to static charge and suggests that reflection on the topic may yield insights.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion contains multiple competing views regarding the nature of static electricity and its effects, particularly concerning the attraction of food waste and the behavior of charged objects. No consensus is reached on these points.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about definitions and conditions related to static electricity and charge interactions, indicating that assumptions may be missing or definitions may vary.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals exploring concepts of static electricity, charge interactions, and related experimental observations in physics.

FionaZJ
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Is food waste attracted by the static electricity?
 
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FionaZJ said:
Is food waste attracted by the static electricity?
What do you think? What conditions are necessary for static electricy to generate much force...?
 
Different in charge?
 
FionaZJ said:
Different in charge?
Yeah, but that's true in general for charges creating forces via electric fields. What's special about static charge and static electricity?
 
Static charge is positive or negative charge...but static electricity is a process?
 
FionaZJ said:
Static charge is positive or negative charge...but static electricity is a process?
Not really.

What kind of days lead to the worst static charge ESD zaps?
 
Ermmm... I don't know...because I am just a beginner
 
FionaZJ said:
Ermmm... I don't know...because I am just a beginner
Well, just think about it overnight. You should be able to figure it out. :smile:
 
Last edited:
I noticed that dry rice grains stick to the inside wall of an almost empty, clear plastic container. As I move my finger towards the outside wall, the grain falls from the inside wall before I touch the outside. Any ideas?
 
  • #10
Baluncore said:
I noticed that dry rice grains stick to the inside wall of an almost empty, clear plastic container. As I move my finger towards the outside wall, the grain falls from the inside wall before I touch the outside. Any ideas?
The outer surface of the container is probably charged negatively. When you approach the container, positive charge is induced in your finger. You get a capacitor effect so most of the electric flux from the neg charge now points towards you instead of the inside.

Or maybe charge is transferred between your finger and the outer surface.

Another possibility is that you are not grounded and are charged yourself.

And the last possible explanation is that it was just coincidence.
 
Last edited:
  • #11
DrZoidberg said:
And the last possible explanation is that it was just coincidence.
I have repeated the experiment several times, so I think it is probably some sort of science.
 

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