How Everything Works on Instagram: "Static electricity is simply the buildup of electric charge on the surface of a material. It forms when two objects rub together and swap electrons — one ends up with extra electrons (a negative charge), while the other is left with fewer (a positive charge). Because opposite charges attract, a charged object can cling to or pull on nearby materials. That’s why a balloon rubbed on your hair makes the strands lift or stick to it. You notice static electricity m