What Factors Influence Electric Shock When Exiting a Car?

AI Thread Summary
Factors influencing electric shock when exiting a car primarily include static electricity buildup from the car seat and environmental conditions like humidity. The material of clothing and the distance slid across the seat are significant, while the engine's status is less impactful. Humidity can reduce shock intensity due to increased conductivity. The discussion also touches on the concept of rest mass, identifying that a photon has the least rest mass compared to other particles. Understanding these concepts can clarify the nature of electric shocks experienced in everyday situations.
**Mariam**
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Homework Statement


1)a student decides to investigate the electric shock she received when she gets out of her car. Which of the following factors least likely to have a significant effect on the size of the shock?
A. The material of her clothe
B. The distance she slides across the seat when getting out
C. The part of the car she touches when she gets out
D. The humidity of the air
E. Whether or not the engine is running

2) which has the least rest mass?
Electron
Photon
Quark
Proton
Neutron

Homework Equations


I don't really understand the questions, but probably no equations needed cause it's only concepts
Maybe for second question, Erest=mc^2

The Attempt at a Solution


As I mentioned, I have no clue
 
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**Mariam** said:

Homework Statement


1)a student decides to investigate the electric shock she received when she gets out of her car. Which of the following factors least likely to have a significant effect on the size of the shock?
A. The material of her clothe
B. The distance she slides across the seat when getting out
C. The part of the car she touches when she gets out
D. The humidity of the air
E. Whether or not the engine is running

2) which has the least rest mass?
Electron
Photon
Quark
Proton
Neutron

Homework Equations


I don't really understand the questions, but probably no equations needed cause it's only concepts
Maybe for second question, Erest=mc^2

The Attempt at a Solution


As I mentioned, I have no clue
What causes the shock?
 
berkeman said:
What causes the shock?
Maybe the fact that the car is a conductor , so inside conductor there is no charge but on the surface there is?
 
**Mariam** said:
Maybe the fact that the car is a conductor , so inside conductor there is no charge but on the surface there is?
No, don't over-think this problem. You can get that kind of shock pretty much anywhere. Like when you pull on a wool pull-over sweater and touch a door knob. What kind of shock is that? What causes it? You can read about it at wikipedia, and I bet you'll be able to answer the question then. :smile:
 
berkeman said:
No, don't over-think this problem. You can get that kind of shock pretty much anywhere. Like when you pull on a wool pull-over sweater and touch a door knob. What kind of shock is that? What causes it? You can read about it at wikipedia, and I bet you'll be able to answer the question then. :smile:

Ok, it's static electricity that builds up on your body from car seat.

So A and B are ruled out.
I also think whether can affect the charge, cause if more water /humidity means less electric shock.

Is it correct until now?
 
**Mariam** said:
Ok, it's static electricity that builds up on your body from car seat.

So A and B are ruled out.
I also think whether can affect the charge, cause if more water /humidity means less electric shock.

Is it correct until now?
Yes, good! :smile:
 
berkeman said:
Yes, good! :smile:
I think it's E then
 
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**Mariam** said:
I think it's E then
Looks right.
 
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