electrostatic force

Electrostatic force is the push or pull caused by electric charges, even when objects are not touching.

• Charges can build up when two materials are rubbed together because tiny particles called electrons move from one surface to another.
• An object with extra electrons becomes negatively charged; one that has lost some electrons becomes positively charged.
• Two objects with the same type of charge push apart, while opposite charges pull together—rather like the matching and opposite poles of magnets.
• A charged object can also attract a neutral object, such as paper. Its charge makes charges inside the paper shift slightly, so the nearer side is attracted more strongly.
• This force is usually most noticeable with light objects and dry materials. A small static shock after walking on a carpet happens when built-up charge suddenly moves from your body to another object.

Electrostatic force shows that forces can act across empty space, without a direct physical push or pull.