Why Do Large Sparks Jump from Leather Belts in Machinery?

[bkl4life]

Homework Statement

Explain why large sparks are often seen jumping from leather belts driving machinery.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

I know metal chains are off trucks to stop electric static but I'm not sure why leather. Is leather a conductor?

 

[mgb_phys]

Is leather a conductor?

No, now trying rubbing a something insulating against say a polyester fleece.

 

[bkl4life]

Electrons move and you feel a shock. Is that the same with the belt. It is moving along metal so the electrons are being transferred which causes sparks? That doesn't seem right.

 

[mgb_phys]

Because it isn't a conductor charge builds up on the belt in exactly the same way

 

[bkl4life]

So would this be accurate to say:

The leather resists the flow of electric current. Leather cannot break down electrons. A free charge being accelerated by the electrical field will have enough energy to knock electrons from any atom it strikes. These electrons are accelerated and becomes a carrier, which creates two, four, and so on. The leather becomes filled with these carriers and when mixed with air sparks are formed.