electricity

[tiiabird]

how is a plastic comb and dry hair related to electricity

[Clanad]

To start, it helps to know that every object is made up of billions of tiny particles, called protons and electrons. These particles are so small they can only be seen with special microscopes. 

Despite their small size, protons and electrons carry an electrical charge. Protons carry a "positive" charge, while electrons carry a "negative" energy charge. 

Usually, the two different charges balance each other out, and nothing happens. But when two objects with like charges (all positive or all negative) come together, the charges repel and the objects move away from each other. Objects with opposite charges attract each other because the different charges "want" to enter a state of balance with each other. 

Objects can get a negative charge by picking up electrons from other objects. For example, when your shoes scuff against the rug, your shoes are actually picking up electrons from the rug, or when you comb your dry hair, the electrons fly over your body, giving you a negative charge. 

Your new electrons fly over your body because they are looking for a positive charge. If you touch a metal doorknob, the electrons on your body will leap into the metal, attracted by the protons there. The transfer of electrons is actually a small electrical current, and produces the tiny electric shock you feel. 

Lightning is like static electricity, except on a much bigger scale. Both lightning and static electricity happen because of the attraction between the opposite charges...