8.S.II.A.3

Static electricity A static charge (excess or deficiency) creates an electric field. Electric energy can be stored in capacitors (typically two metal plates, one charged positive and one charged negative, separated by an insulating barrier). Capacitor discharges can release fatal levels of energy. Grounding drains an excess or makes up a deficiency of electrons, because the earth is a huge reservoir of electrons. Your body is a ground when you get a shock of static electricity. Lightning is a grounding of static electricity from clouds