Why it matters Although static electricity can cause funny mishaps, like hair standing on end after going down a playground slide, it also can lead to serious problems. For example, sparks from static ...

Incredibly, for the first time, scientists have unraveled how static electricity works, something first recorded in 600 BCE but not fully understood until now. While cats are not the only culprits ...

Perhaps cats — with their righting reflex, exquisite balance, and preternatural ability to display static electricity — are holding onto some undiscovered secrets of the universe.

On February 7, 2025, in Jiangsu, China, @FilmNo.25 shared a video of her pet cat experiencing static electricity. In the footage, the author is lying on the bed when her cat approaches.

On December 2, 2024, in Jiangsu, China, @XiaomanIsaCommon-lookingCat shared a video of a cat startled by static electricity. In the video, the owner rubs her finger on a furry blanket to generate ...

Cute kitten learns about static electricity as balloons stick to its fur. Watch By Sohini Sengupta Feb 16, 2022 12:38 PM IST ...

But, while static electricity may be cute to think about when petting a cat, sparks can result in industrial fires and explosions. It can also hinder consistent dosing for powdered pharmaceuticals.

Static electricity was first observed in 600 BCE. Yet for many years modern researchers have struggled to explain how rubbing causes it.