Sometimes after waking up from sleep in the morning people get electric shocks when we touch a doorknob or a tap in the bathroom. Before you think that it was a dream, you should know that this is called static shock and in this Now You Know we will tell you what static electricity is.

Static electricity is produced because of the imbalance of electric charge that has accumulated on the surface of an object or within an object. Electrons are negatively charged particles in an atom. When two objects that are not good conductors of electricity are rubbed together, electrons from one of the objects rub off onto the other. During sleeping, our dry skin rubs against or touches the bedsheet for a long time. The body gets negatively charged because of this. While approaching a positively charged object like a metal tap or doorknob, the negative charge of the body builds up and when touched, there's enough voltage for the charge to jump between the finger and the object.

Since there is no current, these shocks will hurt you but not kill you. This happens mostly in winters because dry air has no moisture. Moisture helps static electricity to find balance. Wearing cotton clothing and leather footwear helps you avoid this. Woollen or polyester clothing, and rubber-soled shoes make you prone to shocks.

Benjamin Franklin proved that even lightning is a form of static electricity. 150 years later, based on his discoveries Michael Faraday and Volta succeeded in producing electricity that we all use today. Laser printers and photocopiers use static electricity for printing.

Dust gets accumulated on our computer monitors or television screens because of this. Even taking a sweater off makes our hair stand sometimes, and if you haven't done it in your childhood, comb your hair rigorously and bring the comb close to a piece of paper. You'll see proof that opposites do attract.