As Charge Builds Up, So Does the Voltage

Question 1

What happens as electric charge builds on an isolated object?

Answer 1

The voltage between the object and the earth (zero volts) increases

Question 2

What happens if the voltage gets large enough?

Answer 2

Electrons can jump across the gap between the charged object and the earth - this is the spark

Question 3

What can the electrons also jump to?

Answer 3

Any earthed conductor that is nearby - which is why you can get static shocks from clothes or getting out of a car

Question 4

Does this usually happen when the gap is small or large?

Answer 4

Fairly small (not always e.g lightning)