Seemingly random charging of identical materials depends on the carbonaceous molecules stuck to their surfaces ...

There’s a shocking lack of understanding of the physics underlying this commonplace phenomenon, but researchers are on the case.

When high-voltage electricity breaks out in open air, it rips through the atmosphere, forming chaotic, branching fingers of electric plasma. These electrical arcs are difficult to control. They branch ...

Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent six days a week. Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. To the uninitiated, electricity might seem like a sort of hidden ...

When microscopic particles of sand, ash, or dust collide in the air, they often exchange a tiny electrical charge. This tiny ...

If you’ve ever felt a shock after rubbing your hair with a balloon or shuffling across a carpet, you’ll know that static electricity can be a real pain. But for the scientists who study it, the pain ...

The topic of electricity often poses difficulties for many secondary school students in physics lessons. Researchers have now developed and empirically evaluated a new, intuitive curriculum as part of ...