24/01/2026
We sometimes feel an electric shock when touching a door handle or vehicle window due to static electricity
When we walk on carpets, synthetic floors, or slide out of a car seat, electrons accumulate on our body because of friction (triboelectric effect). Our body becomes electrically charged. Metal door handles and vehicle frames are good conductors and are usually at a different electric potential.
When we touch them, the excess charge suddenly discharges from our body to the metal, producing a tiny spark. This rapid movement of electrons stimulates the nerves in our skin, which we feel as a brief electric shock.
This effect is more common in dry weather, because dry air does not allow charges to leak away easily.
