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FACTREE gives you something interesting to discover every day — and something worth talking about together.

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Physics

Electrostatics

Quick fact

The static charge from a doorknob shock can reach over 10,000 volts, but because the current is extremely low, it is usually harmless.

Why this is interesting

Ever wonder why a rubbed balloon sticks to a wall, or why you get a shock when touching a doorknob on a dry winter day? That invisible force is the magic of electrostatics—the study of stationary electric charges and the surprising effects they can create.