Shocking discovery
Posted by: Steve B on 09 July 2004
I think I’ve finally sussed how to prevent getting static shocks when getting out of the car. I’m sure many of you share the same problem, especially during warm dry weather. You stop, get out the car, touch the door and Zap! - you’re day is spoiled. (Well the next few seconds is spoiled anyway).
The solution is to simply keep touching the metalwork of the car while getting up out of the seat until you’re standing upright. Since doing this I have never felt any static shock.
Now for the nerdy bit:
My theory is that while driving along, the car (and you) become positively charged relative to the ground (due presumably to friction between the tyres and the road). You stop, get out the car and your own positive charge dissipates through your shoes to ground. So now there is a potential difference between you and the car. You touch the car and Zap!
So, by keeping contact with the car while you are getting out, you dissipate the positive charge both from yourself and the car at the same time, hence no potential difference, and no Zap.
Whether my theory is correct or not, it seems to work.
I hope this drivel proves useful to someone.
Steve B
The solution is to simply keep touching the metalwork of the car while getting up out of the seat until you’re standing upright. Since doing this I have never felt any static shock.
Now for the nerdy bit:
My theory is that while driving along, the car (and you) become positively charged relative to the ground (due presumably to friction between the tyres and the road). You stop, get out the car and your own positive charge dissipates through your shoes to ground. So now there is a potential difference between you and the car. You touch the car and Zap!
So, by keeping contact with the car while you are getting out, you dissipate the positive charge both from yourself and the car at the same time, hence no potential difference, and no Zap.
Whether my theory is correct or not, it seems to work.
I hope this drivel proves useful to someone.
Steve B
If you hang an anorak off of the rear bumper they earth the motor wonderfully, one gets about three days out of an Oxbridge student driving at a steady 70mph, Scots tend to wear out quicker,and LSE merchants (especially female) are the best, as the more body fat (mainly cranial) smooths the ride as well as "Hey Presto" de-electrifying the smartest of socks (even Pollards )
Fritz Von Aseaisaswedishfirm have a nice day y*'all.
Fritz Von Aseaisaswedishfirm have a nice day y*'all.
How can bampots buy new car equipment, it's like updating dodgy MS Progs, innit ?
Fritz Von Daanthevicky
Fritz Von Daanthevicky