What does the electrostatic series determine?

• A. Attraction of materials to electrons
• B. Electrical energy produced by charges
• C. Heat generated by friction
• D. Color of a material

Answer: (A)

The electrostatic (triboelectric) series ranks materials by how easily they gain or lose electrons when they touch or rub together. This tells you which material will attract electrons from another and thus become negatively charged, and which will tend to lose electrons and become positively charged. So, it determines the direction of charge transfer and static charging between materials. It doesn’t tell you how much electrical energy is produced, how much heat friction generates, or the color of a material.