Introduction:

How do we know, why do we believe that there is such a thing as electric charge? Have you ever seen an electric charge? Why do we believe in it then? Are there any phenomena that can only be associated with the presence of electrical charge? Well, yes there are, but how would one know it when one sees it? Triboelectricity is electricity (thought to be) created by friction between two surfaces, for example, by rubbing a glass rod with a coat sleeve (but who does that?) or by carelessly sliding off the seat of one's car(ah, now who doesn't do that?). Electrical charge leaps out from the door to our fingers (or is it from our fingers to the door?) as we step out of the car. The jolt awaits us, and we are shocked into this realization: we live in an electric world.