# A technician working in a microchip factory must wear a special wristband that connects them to the ground. Explain why wearing this wristband prevents damage to microchips caused by static electricity.

> OCR GCSE Physics A: Gateway Science (J249) — P3.1 Static and charge · Explain · 4 marks

> Microchips can be destroyed by sudden discharges of static electricity. Workers handling microchips can build up a static charge on their bodies through friction as they move around the factory.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Movement/friction causes electrons to transfer to or from the worker's body, building up a static charge
2. The wristband provides a conducting path between the worker and the ground
3. Charge continuously flows to earth so no large static charge builds up on the worker
4. So there is no sudden discharge / spark that could transfer charge through the microchip and damage it

## Key terms

- [static electricity](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/static-electricity)

## Related

- [Revision notes for OCR GCSE Physics A: Gateway Science (J249)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-technician-working-in-a-microchip-9cf81648) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.