Associate Safety Professional Practice Exam

What process involves electrical charges building up on the surface of materials?

1. Charge isolation

2. Static electricity

3. Electromagnetic induction

4. Current flow

The correct answer is: Static electricity

The correct answer is static electricity because it specifically refers to the accumulation of electrical charges on the surface of materials. This phenomenon occurs when there is an imbalance of electric charges within or on the surface of a material, often resulting from processes such as friction, contact separation, or induction. As the charges build up, they can cause sparks or discharges when the accumulated voltage becomes high enough, illustrating the potential hazards of static electricity in various environments, particularly in industries where flammable materials are present. Charge isolation refers to the process of preventing electrical charges from moving, which is different from the buildup of charge itself. Electromagnetic induction involves generating electricity through the movement of a conductor in a magnetic field, and while it deals with electric charges, it does not primarily involve the buildup on surfaces. Current flow refers to the movement of electric charges through a conductor, which is a different concept from the accumulation of static electric charge. Thus, static electricity is the most accurate term for the buildup of electrical charges on surfaces.