Applications of Static Charge

Static electricity can be useful when controlled.

Factories can use electrostatic precipitators to remove fine particles from exhaust gases. Particles are electrically charged and attracted toward oppositely charged collecting plates.

Charged regions on a drum attract toner particles. The toner is transferred to paper and fixed in place.

Paint droplets can be electrically charged while the object has the opposite charge or is effectively grounded. The attraction helps produce more even coating and reduce waste.

Electric fields can control charged droplets or particles in specialised devices.