Contact Electrification - Metallic Contact

Metallic Contact

If two metals having differing work functions are touched together, one steals electrons from the other, and the opposite net charges grow larger and larger; this is the Volta effect. The process is halted when the difference in electric potential (electrostatic potential) between the two metals reaches a particular value (the difference in work function values - usually less than one volt.) At this point, the Fermi levels for the two metals are equal, and there is no voltage difference between them.

Read more about this topic:  Contact Electrification

Famous quotes containing the words metallic and/or contact:

    The voice of America has no undertones or overtones in it. It repeats its optimistic catchwords in a tireless monologue that has the slightly metallic sound of a gramophone.
    Vance Palmer (1885–1959)

    ... it is nearly impossible to understand those who are beyond our sight, who are not explained to us by ties of birth or the contact of the flesh.
    Rebecca West (1892–1983)