Thanks. I have been wondering why isn't static electricity used
in household and daily appliances? Is it because it gives too much
shocks? My friend suggested that it is not a regular supply of
power... But surely you can use some machinery to rub it to
generate power all the time?
+++++++
__________
A
B
__________
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Say an electron moves between these 2 charged parallel plates
from point B to A, I think the strength of the electric field on
electron falls. However, I do not know how to explain... I might be
wrong in my statement. So do correct me. :)
Firstly, rubbing is only for non-conductors. You can't use a
non-conductor to transmit electricity, as explained by
16/f/lonely ;)
Secondly, this is the reason why it is called static
electricity. It is static! Normal household appliances, it is not
static.
Thirdly, generators are already using machinery to generate
electricity :D
This is more of about Faraday's Law and Lenz's Law... It
doesn't seem any more useful or effective to attempt to create
something similar with static electricity (although I dun think it
is possible).
Fourth, there are instances where charges are stored up before
being used, although it does not use static electricity at all.
Example: usage of capacitors in camera flashes
Static electricity, although hazardous and could potentially
damage appliances, has its own uses as well. One example would be
the gold-leaf electroscope. But I think gold-leaf electroscope is
out of O level syllabus