Why you feel light electrical shock by touching something

Let’s start with the shortest answer first. You feel light electric shock by touching a person or something due to static electricity, which is an imbalance of electric charges within or on the surface of a material. Touching an object can transfer electrons, equalizing the charge and producing a spark or shock that can be felt.

What is Static Electricity?

Static electricity refers to an electric charge that builds up in a material due to an imbalance of electrons. This imbalance can occur due to a variety of reasons, such as rubbing two materials together or through contact with another material that has an excess or deficiency of electrons. When two materials with different electrical charges come into contact, electrons can transfer from one material to the other, equalizing the charge and resulting in a spark or shock that can be felt.

One of the most common examples of static electricity is the sensation of a shock when touching a metal object after walking on a carpet. This is because the friction between our feet and the rug can strip electrons from the carpet fibers and transfer them to our bodies, leaving us with a net positive charge. Touching a metal object can then transfer electrons back to our bodies, producing a spark and the sensation of a shock.

Static electricity can also be generated in dry climates where the air is dry and the humidity is low. In these conditions, the dry air causes materials to become charged, resulting in sparks, shocks, and other static electricity phenomena.

It is also possible to feel a light electric shock when touching a person. This can occur due to the buildup of static electricity in the body, which can be caused by friction between clothing and skin, movement, and contact with other materials. When two people with different electrical charges touch, electrons can transfer between the two individuals, producing a spark and the sensation of a shock. The intensity of the shock depends on various factors, including the electrical charges of the two individuals and the conductivity of the materials they are touching.

The effects of static electricity can range from simply being an annoyance to being a serious safety hazard. In industries that handle flammable materials, such as gasoline or natural gas, a spark from static electricity can be dangerous. To mitigate the risk of static electricity in these environments, workers are often required to wear specialized clothing and follow strict procedures to ensure that they do not generate sparks that could ignite the flammable materials.

In addition to being a safety hazard, static electricity can also cause damage to electronic devices. When electronic devices are charged with static electricity, the electrical charge can cause the device to malfunction or even be permanently damaged. To prevent this, it is important to discharge static electricity from your body before handling sensitive electronic devices. 

How to avoid electric shock due to static electricity?

First of all, it is nothing to worry about. Here are some ways to avoid getting light electric shocks from static electricity:

• Increase humidity: Increasing the humidity in the air can reduce the buildup of static electricity in the body.
• Wear natural fibers: Wearing clothing made from natural fibers, such as cotton or wool, can help reduce the buildup of static electricity.
• Avoid synthetic materials: Synthetic materials, such as polyester or nylon, are more likely to generate static electricity than natural fibers.
• Use a humidifier: Using a humidifier in dry climates can help reduce the buildup of static electricity.
• Use a moisturizer: Applying a moisturizer to your skin can help reduce the buildup of static electricity.
• Ground yourself: Touching a grounded object, such as a metal doorknob, can help discharge any static electricity buildup in your body.
• Avoid friction: Friction between clothing and skin can increase the buildup of static electricity. Avoiding friction, for example by wearing loose clothing, can help reduce the buildup of static electricity.

By following these tips, you can reduce the risk of receiving shocks from static electricity. 

In conclusion, static electricity is an imbalance of electric charges within or on the surface of a material. It can be generated through a variety of means, including friction between materials, contact with charged materials, and dry climates. While it can be a harmless annoyance, it can also be a serious safety hazard, especially in industries that handle flammable materials. To mitigate the effects of static electricity, it is important to follow safety procedures and discharge static electricity from your body before handling sensitive electronic devices.