# Explain why a spark is produced when a person who has built up a static charge reaches towards a metal door handle.

> AQA GCSE Physics (8463) — 4.2.6 Static electricity (Phys only) · Explain · 4 marks

> A person walks across a nylon carpet wearing rubber-soled shoes. As they reach towards a metal door handle, a spark jumps between their finger and the handle.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Rubbing/walking across the carpet transfers electrons between surfaces, leaving the person with a net (static) charge
2. Charge builds up on the person because they are an insulator (rubber soles prevent charge flowing away to earth)
3. A large potential difference / enough charge builds up between the person and the (earthed) metal handle
4. The charge jumps through the air from the person to the handle (to balance the charges), producing a spark

## Key terms

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

## Related

- [Revision notes for AQA GCSE Physics (8463)](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/explain-why-a-spark-is-produced-5bfc3e8f) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.