Chapter 6.1, Problem 5R

To determine

To explain: the reason that when the air is dry it is more likely for one to receive a shock after walking across a carpet than when the air is humid.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Conductors allow electrons to flow through them easily.

When one walks across a carpet, the soles of the shoes gain excess electrons from the carpet and become negatively charged. The humid air being a good electrical conductor allows these excess electrons to flow through it rather than letting them accumulate on the soles of the show. This keeps the person safe from receiving a shock. Dry air on the other hand does not allow the excess electrons to flow through it resulting in an accumulation of electrons on the soles of the shoe. A person is more likely to receive a shock when the air is dry.

Conclusion:

Thus, static electricity is the accumulation of excess electrical charge on an object.