It all starts with static electricity, which is the build-up of positive or negative electrical charge on a surface. If you have ever rubbed a balloon in your hair and stuck it on the wall; shuffled along a carpet in socks and "shocked" someone with your outstretched finger; or been struck by lightning, you have experienced static electricity. The attraction between these opposing electric charges is what sticks the balloon to the wall or causes “static shock”. Static electricity combined with lasers is what makes laser printers work.

• Fast Fact: Static shock and lightning both represent the transfer of built up negative charges, which actually involves an electrical current. Thankfully, the current involved in static shock is many time smaller than that of lightning!