Definition

Related to electric charges that are not moving.

Example

The electrostatic force between the two charged objects caused them to attract each other.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of electrostatic painting?

Yeah, I think it uses charged particles to get an even coat, right?

Exactly! It's really efficient and minimizes waste.

That sounds cool! I’d love to see how it works in action.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Electrostatic is formed from "electro-" (from Greek "ēlektron", meaning amber, which is associated with electricity) and "static" (from Greek "statikos", meaning causing to stand or stationary). The word describes the stationary electric charge that can accumulate on the surface of objects.

Memory Tip

Think of 'amber' ('ēlektron') which is linked to electricity, and 'static' meaning something that is 'stationary'. This helps you remember that 'electrostatic' refers to stationary electric charges.

Visually Confused Words