Static is an electric charge that can build up when to electrically dis-similar materials are rubbed together. Initially the materials show no tendency to either attract or repel each other. However, after being rubbed briskly together and quickly separated it will be found that they tend to attract one another. This attraction has been created by the friction of contact between the materials in describing the process we say the materials have become electrified or charged.

This process of electrification separates some quality or substance associated with the materials. This quality or substance can be regarded as two distinct types designated positive (=) or negative (-). Initially both types ( + and -) are considered to be present in each of the electrically dissimilar materials in equal amounts. However during the process the electrical properties of the materials become unbalanced. One retaining an excess of positive charge, and the other retaining an excess of negative charge. We have all experienced this phenomenon when we walk briskly across carpeting and then are shocked as the built up electrical charge in our body is suddenly discharged to the electric switch or some other object we are about to touch.