Difference Between Static & Current Electricity

The most significant difference between the static and current electricity is that in static electricity the charges are at rest and they are accumulating on the surface of the insulator. Whereas in current electricity the electrons are moving inside the conductor. The other differences between the static and current electricity are explained below in the comparison chart.

The static electricity uses in pollution control machine, in machine painting, xerography etc. The metallic plates of the pollution control machine convert the dirt particles into static charge. The static dirt particles attract towards the opposite charge plate of the pollution control machine. Thus, accumulate in the device. The current electricity use for performing the mechanical work like running the fan, motor, etc.

Content: Static Vs Current Electricity

1. Comparison Chart
2. Definition
3. Key Differences
4. Conclusion

Comparison Chart

Basis for Comparison	Static Electricity	Current Electricity
Definition	The electricity which is build up on the surface of the substance is known as the static electricity.	The current electricity is because of the flow of electrons.
Causes	It induces because of the movement of the negative charges from one object to another	The current electricity is because of the movement of the electrons.
Material	The static electricity develops both in the conductor and insulator.	The current electricity develops only in conductor.
Magnetic Field	Not induces the magnetic field.	It induces magnetic field.
Time Period	Exist for short time.	Exists for long time.
Measuring Device	Gold leaf electroscope	Analog and digital meter.
Examples	Lightning strokes, it develop by rubbing the balloons on hair, etc.	The current electricity is used for running the fan, light, T.V etc.

Definition of Static Electricity

The word static means not in moving condition. The electricity in which the charges remain at rest on the surface of the substance is called the static electricity. The static electricity generates by rubbing the two static objects.

Every object made of tiny particles called atoms. The atom consists the nucleus and free electrons. The nucleus has an equal number of neutrons and protons. The electrons of the atom move across their orbit. The free particles of some of the substance are weakly bounded.

While rubbing the two objects, the electrons having weak bond jump from one object to another. The objects which lose the electrons becomes positively charged. And the object which gains electrons becomes negatively charged. The potential develops between the static objects which cause the static electricity. 

Consider the atoms of the hair and balloon. When we rubbed the balloon on hair, negative charges transfer between them. Let the negative charge moves from the atom of hair and adds on the atom of the balloon. Thus, the atoms of hairs become positively charged, and that of balloon becomes negatively charged.

The force of attraction induces between the hair and balloon. The positive and negative charges develop the potential difference between the hair and balloon. Thus the static electricity induces between them.

Definition of Current Electricity

The electricity which is produced because of the movement of electrons is known as the current electricity. It develops only on the material which has free electrons. The current electricity use for performing the mechanical works like for moving the fan, running the machine, etc. The magnetic field associates because of current electricity.

The AC (alternating current) and DC (direct current) are the types of current electricity. In alternating current, the charges flow in both the direction. And in direct current, the charges move only in one direction.

The substances made of tiny particles called the atom. The atom has the nucleus and electrons. The electrons move around the orbit of the atom, while the nucleus is fixed. The substances are of two types. The one which has the weakly bounded electrons and the other has strongly bounded electrons,

The substance having a weak bond between the electrons and an atom is called the conductor. When the external force likes voltage, thermal energy applies to it; the electrons become energised and start jumping from one atom to another inside the conductor. This movement of electrons generates the current electricity.

In nonmetals, the electrons are strongly bounded. But in metals, the electron jumps from one atom to another because of the repulsive property of charges. The movement of electrons generates the current electricity.

Conclusion

The static electricity is because of the charges at rest position. And the current electricity develops because of the movement of negative charges.