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Static Electricity

Author(s): Gregory L. Vogt, Ed.D.

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Static electricity is an electric charge on the surface of an object. When the difference between the charge on the object and the charge on a nearby object becomes great enough, a spark of electric current leaps between them. Learn about static electricity and watch the sparks produced by a Van de Graaff generator. Find out how lightning is created. See how static charges attract and repel.