Have you ever taken off a sweater and felt a surprising shock? That’s static electricity, the buildup of an electric charge. It occurs when two items rub against each other, and electrons are transferred from one thing or person to another. If an object has an excess of electrons, it becomes negatively charged. On the other hand, when something has a lack of electrons, it naturally becomes positively charged. Opposite charges attract, so when a negatively charged object comes into contact with a positively charged one, the electrons will flow from the negative object to the positive one until the charges are balanced.
When the human body carries an excessive positive charge, it is more prone to generate static electricity. This flow of electrons causes the spark or shock that you feel when you touch a metal object after walking across a carpeted floor with socks on, for example. What’s more, static electricity is more common in the winter than in the summer. This is because the air is typically drier in the winter, and dry air doesn’t conduct electricity as well as moist air. Hence, it’s easier for static charges to accumulate on objects.
Although static electricity is usually harmless, it can be annoying and sometimes even painful. There are a few things you can do to minimize static electricity. One effective way involves using a humidifier to add moisture to the air, which increases the humidity in your home and helps prevent static electricity from building up. In addition, since dry skin can also contribute to static electricity, keeping your skin moisturized can also make the buildup of static charges less likely.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock 照片：Shutterstock 提供
你是否曾在脫下毛衣時驚訝地被電了一下？那是靜電：一種電荷的累積。它發生在當兩個物品相互摩擦時，電子會從一個物品或一個人身上轉移到另一個物品或人身上。如果一個物體擁有過多的電子，它就會帶負電荷。另一方面，當某物缺少電子時，它自然而然地會帶正電荷。相反的電荷會互相吸引，所以當一個帶負電荷的物體接觸到一個帶正電荷的物體時，電子會從帶有負電荷的物體流向帶有正電荷的物體，直到電荷平衡。
當人體帶有過多的正電荷，就容易產生靜電。舉例來說，這種電子流動會在你穿著襪子走過鋪有地毯的地板後、觸摸到金屬物體時產生電火花或觸電感。此外，靜電在冬天比在夏天更常見。這是因為冬天的空氣通常比較乾燥，而乾燥空氣的導電能力不如潮溼空氣好。因此，靜電電荷更容易在物體上累積。
雖然靜電通常無害，但卻很惱人，有時甚至會很痛苦。你可以採取一些方法來將靜電降到最低。一個有效的方式包括使用加溼器來添加溼氣到空氣中，這會增加你家中的溼度，有助於防止靜電累積。此外，因為乾燥的皮膚也可能導致靜電，所以保持皮膚溼潤也可以減少靜電電荷累積的可能性
What Did You Learn?
1. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT true?
(A) Static charges can occasionally cause discomfort.
(B) Preventing the skin from dryness can help reduce static electricity.
(C) If an item collects too many electrons, it results in a negative electric charge.
(D) There are no known methods to combat the phenomenon of static electricity.
2. Why does static electricity occur more in the winter?
(A) There is more rain in the winter.
(B) The air has a lower level of humidity.
(C) Cold objects don’t transfer electrons well.
(D) Opposite charges attract each other more easily.
3. Which of the following flows of particles is correct about the occurrence of static electricity?
1.根據文章，下列哪個敘述不正確？
(A) 靜電有時會造成不舒服。
(B) 讓皮膚不乾燥有助於減少靜電。
(C) 如果一個物體有過多的電子，它會帶負電荷。
(D) 沒有已知的方法來對抗靜電現象。
2.為什麼靜電在冬季更容易發生？
(A) 冬季降雨較多。
(B) 空氣的溼度較低。
(C) 冰冷的物體不易轉移電子。
(D) 相反的電荷更容易互相吸引。
3.關於靜電發生時的粒子流動，以下哪個是正確的？
題解:根據第一段，當一個帶負電荷的物體接觸到一個帶正電荷的物 體時，電子會從帶有負電荷的物體流向帶有正電荷的物體，直 到電荷平衡，選項中僅圖(B)符合，故選之。
答案：1.(D) 2.(B) 3.(B)
Words in Use
1. static a. 靜止的，不動的
static electricity 靜電
This fabric is very soft to the touch and prevents the buildup of static electricity.
這種布料觸感相當柔軟，而且還有抗靜電的功能。
2. charge n. 電荷 & vt. & vi. 充電
on charge 處於充電狀態
positive / negative charge 正∕負電
positively / negatively charged 帶正電∕負電的
An electric charge flowed through the circuit.
電荷在電路中流動。
The electron is negatively charged.
電子帶有負電荷。
3. transfer vt. 轉移
The package was transferred from the sender to the recipient smoothly.
包裹順利地從寄件人轉交給收件人。
4. excess n. 過量
an excess of... 過量的……
excessive a. 過量的
An excess of vitamins can be harmful to your health.
過量的維他命可能會對你的健康有害。
Excessive drinking can damage one’s liver.
飲酒過量會傷肝。
5. generate vt. 產生
The sales promotion generated huge profits.
這些促銷活動產生龐大的利潤。
Practical Phrases
1. rub against... 和……摩擦
Since the subway was very crowded, my shoulders were rubbing against other passengers.
捷運非常擁擠，所以我的肩膀與其他乘客互相摩擦。
2. come into contact with... 和……接觸
This lotion should not come into contact with your eyes.
這種乳液不應該接觸到你的眼睛。
3. be prone to V 易於∕往往會……
= be liable to V
= be inclined to V
= tend to V
If I go out in the sun for too long, I’m prone to get a serious sunburn.
假如我在陽光下待太久，就很容易嚴重晒傷。
4. build up 累積
Tension between the two leaders has been building up since last year.
自去年起，那兩個領導人之間的緊張情勢持續累積。
5. contribute to N/V-ing 造成∕導致……
Jerry’s cheating contributed to the failure of his marriage.
傑瑞的出軌導致他的婚姻失敗。
聽文章朗讀及講解: https://ivy.pse.is/455bfu
本文出自常春藤解析英語雜誌: www.ivy.com.tw
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