What is static electricity?

• A. The flow of electrons
• B. The accumulation of excess electric charge on an object
• C. The movement of magnetic fields
• D. The production of light

Answer: (B)

Static electricity is the buildup of excess electric charge on an object, with the charges staying in place until they find a way to discharge. This happens when electrons are transferred between objects (for example, rubbing a balloon on your hair). The result is one object becoming negatively charged and the other positively charged, and the charges remain at rest on the surface until discharge or contact equalizes them. This definition fits best because it focuses on a stationary charge imbalance, unlike the flow of electrons (electric current), moving magnetic fields (magnetism), or production of light, which are not what static electricity is.