Question

what is happening when you walk across a carpet and receive a shock when you touch a metal object?
multiple choice
metals have a deficiency of electrons, and electrons are drawn from your body when you touch a metal object.
your body is a good conductor, and you lose electrons until you gain them back by touching a metal object.
metals have excess electrons, which jump to your body when you touch a metal object.
your body is a poor conductor and you accumulate electrons until they are conducted away by a metal object.

Explanation:

When you walk across a carpet, friction causes electrons to be transferred to your body (your body is a poor conductor in this context, so electrons accumulate). When you touch a metal object (a good conductor), the accumulated electrons are conducted away, creating a shock.

• First option: Metals are conductors but not necessarily with electron deficiency in this scenario.
• Second option: Your body is not losing electrons to the carpet (it's gaining in this static - build - up case).
• Third option: Metals don't have excess electrons in this situation (your body has excess electrons from the carpet).
• Fourth option: Correct as your body (poor conductor) accumulates electrons (from carpet) and metal (good conductor) conducts them away.

Answer:

Your body is a poor conductor and you accumulate electrons until they are conducted away by a metal object.