Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2025

AC Electrokinetic Phenomena Generated by Microelectrode Structures
Published on: July 28, 2008
What Puts the "Tribo" in Triboelectricity?
Karl P Olson1, Laurence D Marks1
1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60201, United States of America.
Abstract:
An enduring question in science has been why sliding plays a major role in the triboelectric generation of static electricity-the "tribo" in triboelectricity. We provide here a general explanation which is rooted in established science. When sliding is taking place, there is symmetry breaking due to elastic shear, so the front of the sliding body experiences different elastic strains from the back. Consequently the polarization and associated charges at the front and back are not the same, and the difference between the two leads to current flow similar to the difference in air pressure above and below a plane's wing leading to lift. Specific calculations are provided which show good agreement with prior experimental measurements of size and shape dependencies, and reasonable quantitative agreement with experimental current measurements.
Related Concept Videos
Electric Charges
The English physicist William Gilbert studied the phenomenon of static electricity in...
Van de Graaff Generator
Van de Graaff uses both smooth and pointed surfaces, conductors, and insulators to generate large static charges and, hence, large voltages. A substantial excess charge can be deposited on the sphere because it moves...
Induced Electric Fields
Induced Electric Dipoles
Since the absolute value of potential energy holds no physical meaning, its zero value can be chosen as per...
Induced Electric Fields: Applications
Electrostatic Boundary Conditions in Dielectrics
Consider a case where both the mediums across a boundary are two different dielectric materials. Recall that the electric field and electric displacement are proportional and related through the material's...

