The Shocking Surprise

Curious Cases

BBC

Science

4.8 • 4.1K Ratings

🗓️ 22 September 2017

⏱️ 29 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Why do we get static shocks?

Jose Chavez Mendez from Guatemala asks, "Some years ago, in the dry season, I used to be very susceptible to static electricity. I want to know - why do static shocks happen?"

The team uncover some slightly unethical science experiments on static electricity from the 1700s. Hannah Fry uses a Leyden Jar to demonstrate how static electricity works with help from her glamorous assistant, Adam Rutherford. Spoiler Alert: it doesn't end well for Adam.

They discover what makes some people more susceptible to static shocks, and how bees and spiders have harnessed the awesome power of electricity.

Featuring electromagnetism scientist Rhys Phillips and physicist Helen Czerski, author of 'Storm in a Teacup: The Physics of Everyday Life'.

Presenters: Adam Rutherford, Hannah Fry Producer: Michelle Martin.

Transcript

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0:00.0	MUSIC
0:06.0	I'm Dr Adam Rutherford.
0:07.3	And I'm Dr Hannah Fry.
0:08.6	And you are going to send us your everyday mysteries.
0:11.5	And we are going to investigate them.
0:13.5	Using the power of science.
0:15.7	Science.
0:17.2	I like it.
0:21.5	Hello, Curio.
0:22.9	That's it, over there.
0:24.0	It looks cranky.
0:25.1	I can't do it, that's my voice.
0:27.3	It's my voice.
0:28.4	So welcome to episode four of the Gürtyskays and Rutherford Fry,
0:32.1	in which Rutherford has been practically replaced by a croaking bullfrog.
0:36.8	Yeah, I'm sorry about this.
0:37.8	I lost my voice over the weekend due to a pathetic cold.
0:41.6	And now I sound like, well, halfway between Mariella Frostrop
0:45.5	and the scary clown from it.
0:48.9	You have, though, been swinging gleefully
0:53.0	from a little green glass bottle all day.
0:56.4	Coffman's.
	...

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