AQA GCSE Physics 2026 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Static electricity refers to the accumulation of electric charge on an insulated body. This occurs when there is an imbalance of electric charges within or on the surface of a material. Typically, this buildup happens through processes such as friction, where electrons are transferred from one object to another, leaving one object positively charged and the other negatively charged. The term "static" signifies that the charges do not flow, as they would in a current; instead, they remain in a fixed position until discharged.

In contrast, dynamic charge would imply a flow of electric charge, which is not relevant to the concept of static electricity. Conductive charge suggests a scenario involving materials that allow electricity to flow freely, which does not apply to an insulated body. Resistive charge implies resistance to the flow of electric current, again diverging from the static nature of accumulated charge on an insulated body. Thus, the correct term for this phenomenon is indeed static electricity.