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"Static Electricity" is the electrical charge associated with Lightning; the "shock" you experience when you touch the Doorknob; or when your clothes stick together when they have just come out of the Dryer.
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Static Shock
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Static is caused by the buildup of electric charges when two objects trade some of their Electrons from one to the other. The object with the greatest number of Electrons has a greater negative charge. Since this occurs without the flow of current, it is called "static."
When the negative charge becomes high enough, any contact with a less
negatively-or positively-charged body will cause an extremely rapid, high-current electrical "discharge." This is what happens when you cross the room in your socks and touch the Doorknob. Your body is negatively-charged, and the Doorknob is positively-charged. The negative charge discharges rapidly to the positive charge, bringing the two items back in to electrical balance.
Because static discharge can be damaging to sensitive electronics and disastrous around volatile substances (i.e. industrial solvents and fuels) preventive devices are commonly used. "Grounding Straps" on vehicles, aircraft, and Computer Operators' wrists -plus anti-static flooring and carpeting- are all means of providing a continual path for current flow and preventing the buildup of Static Electricity.
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