Electricity results from the electrical charges of sub-atomic particles.
The charge is opposite to, but equal in size to, the charge on a proton. Electrons and protons are present in equal numbers in an atom which is therefore electrically neutral. Like charges repel each other, unlike charges attract. Static electricity Static occurs when there is a build up of one type of charge on a material, particularly plastics and man-made fibres. This build up can be achieved by rubbing one material agaainst another.