Why does touching metal shock you?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: Static discharge to conductor
Static discharge to conductor ✓ — Correct! Static electricity discharge! Walking on carpet transfers electrons to your body—you become charged (up to thousands of volts!). Touch metal doorknob (electrical conductor connected to ground)—electrons rapidly flow from you to ground through metal. Fast discharge = brief current spike = shock! Spark visible in dark (ionized air). Humidity reduces shocks (moisture conducts charge away slowly). Touch grounded metal first (keys) to discharge safely. Synthetic clothes worse than cotton!
Electrons flow from metal — Wrong. Electrons flow FROM your body TO metal (ground). You're charged from friction; metal provides discharge path.
Chemical reaction with skin — Wrong. No chemical reaction. Shock is electrostatic discharge—accumulated electrons on body flowing rapidly to ground through conductive metal.