Shocking Truths

Do you find yourself getting shocked more often in the past weeks? This is not a coincidence, you are in fact much more likely to get shocked in the winter months than the summer.

Atoms are made up of protons, neutrons, and electrons, and it is through electrons that we receive a nasty shock. As you brush up against objects, such as rubbing your feet while wearing socks on a carpet, or take off a wool coat while wearing a sweater, you will gather extra electrons on your person. This creates an imbalance, and when you touch a conductor, such as a metal object, that imbalance will right itself through the shock you feel (and sometimes even see!).

In the winter, especially in the north, arctic air-masses move southward into the US. These air masses tend to be bone dry. On the other hand, in the spring and summer, the jet stream swings northward and moisture laden air masses push northward out of the tropics. This moisture in the air will help to grab some of the extra electrons, and hence lower the chances of being shocked.