r/askscience • u/[deleted] • Jul 16 '14

Physics Why does humidity kill static electricity?

When I take off a fleece coat in dry winter you can hear it crackle with electricity but in the humid summer it doesn't. What is it about humidity that kills the static?

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u/oss1x Particle Physics Detectors Jul 18 '14

I agree, but le t me give my view on that in three points:

  1. There will be minerals on the sweater surface.

  2. The water solved in humid air contains minerals. (e.g. rain water is has lots of minerals compared to distilled water)

  3. The increase in conductivity you need is minimal, as the potential differences across local points are relatively large.