1. Static Electricity Ali Megahed 8C

2. Static Shock Many people are familiar with the term of a static shock, but what is it exactly? In scientific terms it is known as electrostatic discharge (ESD) and it is when two surfaces contact and separate with at least on of the surfaces having high electrical resistance. During this time electrons may move from one surface to another, which leaves a positive charge on one of the surfaces and a negative on the other. The shock occurs when they separate. lifehacker.com

3. Lightning Lightning is an example of static electricity in nature. It starts as shock that is conducted through the clouds, the clouds act as capacitors. The upper clouds have positive charge and the lower clouds have a negative charge The excess charge from the contact and separation of these clouds has a high voltage and can overcome the resistance of the atmosphere. From this point the ground acts as a conductor to the negative discharge of the clouds. en.wikipedia.org

4. Plasma Globe There are many different types of plasma globes that are filled with different noble gases at nearly atmospheric pressure. They work with same concept of lightning with your hands or the glass as the conductor and the center of the globe as the electrostatic discharge unit. Plasma globes are simply modern types of electrostatic generators. en.wikipedia.org

5. Balloons One of the simplest examples could be rubbing a balloon on your head in which where an excess discharge forms when the rubber and your hair separate. The balloon can then stick to paper or hold onto walls because they have opposing charges that attract.

6. BONUS: What is the image? The image seems to be a lightning rod. The first concept of a lightning rod was when Benjamin Franklin had done the kite experiment in which where the kite acted as a high altitude conductor making the electric field concentrate in that region. Lightning rods work in the same way at the top of buildings and they would protect the building by conducting the electricity safely to ground through a wire.

7. Bibliography "How Lightning Works." HowStuffWorks. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Jan. 2013. "Lightning Rod." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 19 Dec. 2012. Web. 13 Jan. 2013. "Plasma Globe." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 31 Dec. 2012. Web. 13 Jan. 2013. "Static Electricity." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 01 Nov. 2013. Web. 13 Jan. 2013. "What Holds a Balloon against a Wall after You Rub It against a Woolen Sweater?" WikiAnswers. Answers, n.d. Web. 13 Jan. 2013.