Static

You may check these videos, it's explained with easy examples: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhWQ-r1LYXY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBZVtIM-F-s Just to let you know, in general, anything (e.g. balloon or plastic rod) will have equal number of electrons (negative charge) and protons (positive charge) particles, therefore, it won't attract or repel anything because the charge it balanced. When you rub these things against some item (e.g. woolen cloth, hair etc), there are a few electrons transferred from/to the plastic rod/balloon and therefore, if the electrons are transferred to plastic rod, it will have negative charge (electrons are more) and if the electrons are transferred from the rod, it will have positive charge (less electrons but the number of protons is same). Hope it will not be confusing.

Thanks for explaining guys but does it usually happens in an air-conditioned room or anywhere? We have the same issue at the office and even my boss experienced it too, touching a metal like door knob and faucet or touching or rubbing with hands with my officemates makes static. It's not funny at all cause it has pain in it.

You are welcome, laniekins. Yes, you are right. It happens in air conditioned environment because there is no humidity in air and things are dried up making it perfect condition for static. It really pains, in our office it was like, if you sit on a chair and after sometime if someone touched you, s/he will have a static shock. You can do two things, either let the AC be switched off for sometime, let the environment be a little bit humid or change the chairs (may be).