Question

I don't understand this! Explain and Help me please!
You walk across the room toward your front door, wearing wool socks on your feet. You reach for the doorknob to go outside and as you touch the knob, you get shock.
Q#1: Are you a conductor or an insulator? Explain.
Q#2: What is happening to you as you walk across the carpet?
Q#3: Would you be as likely to build up a charge if you were to wear shoes? Explain.
Q#4: What happens when you touch the door knob?
Q#5: Why do I get a shock when I touch the doorknob after walking across the carpet in stocking feet?

Answer 1

Q1: Wouldn't I be a conductor?

Answer 2

I think so.

Answer 3

How would I explain this though? Would it be that the positive and negative charges can flow through our skin?

Answer 4

you "allowed" the flow of electrons to the doorknob from the carpet.

Answer 5

and it's really in your skin but on top.

Answer 6

not

Answer 7

really thanks. Q#2:
Then how would I allow this to happen from walking across the carpet?

Answer 8

you pick up extra electrons from the carpet by rubbing your socks on it.

Answer 9

Oh. The I wouldn't or would build up a charge if I had shoes on.

Answer 10

word of disclaimer: I forget whether you are acquiring electron or losing them, I think you're gaining them but it's been awhile.

Answer 11

if your shoes were made of wool it would work, rubber no so much as it's an insulator.

Answer 12

*not

Answer 13

Then if it was rubber, then I would get shocked from touching the doorknob?

Answer 14

no because as an insulator it's to both get electrons or release them so you would never build up a charge and hence when you were to "ground" yourself by touching the doorknob nothing would happen since you and the doorknob are of the same potential.

Answer 15

*hard

Answer 16

hard to get and release

Answer 17

Oh. Then for the last question. It would be because the charges from the socking would make me have a charge, so that would shock me. Is that right?

Answer 18

well it's more like your wool socks and the carpet are good conductors so when you move across the carpet you gather the charge and since the human body is a good conductor as well, the charges flow from the carpet to the sock to your body and evenly distribute through out the surface of your entire body . When you touch the doorknob which is of a lower potential now that your body, electrons flow to your finger and to the doorknob. Does this make sense?

Answer 19

Oh, I get it know. Thanks for helping me. :D

Answer 20

no problem :)