How do I get rid of static electricity? You may not eliminate all shocks, what with nature’s abundance of electrons. But you can lessen their frequency and intensity.

So if it's purely a chemical process, then why does motion exacerbate it? My 4 year-old already knows about static electricity, even here in Honolulu.

The Earth would probably not be a planet without a key step in the clumping of particles that form planets, which occurs because of the static electricity generated by colliding grains.

But scientists have remained in the dark about many of the basics behind static electricity, particularly why rubbing often induces it—at least, perhaps, until now.

What Causes Static Electricity in Your House? “Static electricity builds up in homes due to numerous factors such as dry air, synthetic materials and carpeting,” Bell says.