Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) G3 Practice Exam

Energy in the form of stationary electric charge is known as:

1. AC

2. DC

3. Static electricity

4. All of the above

The correct answer is: Static electricity

The correct answer, static electricity, refers to the accumulation of electric charge on the surface of objects, which occurs when the charge is not moving, hence the term "static." This phenomenon usually results from the imbalance of positive and negative charges, often caused by friction or contact between different materials. Static electricity can lead to various effects, such as sparks, static cling, or even damage to sensitive electronic components. This form of energy is distinct from AC (alternating current) and DC (direct current), both of which involve the flow of electric charge — AC involves the flow of electric charge that periodically reverses direction, while DC refers to a unidirectional flow of charge. Consequently, static electricity stands apart because it refers specifically to stationary charge rather than charge in motion.