If you rubbed your hand on a sweater, you'd pick up a negative charge on your hand. Then when touching a conductor, like a door knob, you'd feel a shock. Conduction. From this scenario, where does the negative charge go when you touch the door knob?

Answer 1

When you rub your hand on a sweater, your hand picks up extra electrons, giving it a negative charge. When you then touch a conductor, like a door knob, the excess electrons on your hand will flow into the conductor.

The door knob, being conductive, allows electrons to move freely. When you touch it, the negative charge (excess electrons) from your hand is transferred to the door knob. This transfer happens because of the electric potential difference between your charged hand and the neutral door knob. When the electrons move from your hand to the knob, it equalizes the charge between the two, and you feel a shock due to this sudden flow of electrons (an electrostatic discharge).

In summary, the negative charge (excess electrons) from your hand goes into the door knob when you touch it, neutralizing your hand and potentially giving the door knob a slight negative charge.