Electricity is responsible for static hair.
Everyone has, at some point in her life, experienced the effects of static electricity. Static electricity is responsible for the function of cling wrap, the creation of lightning, the destruction of computers and, of course, bad hair days. Static electricity is caused by a build-up of excess electrons on a surface. These excess electrons can cause a potential energy difference between two places, which will lead to a spark, or they can build up until the repulsive forces between them cause other interesting effects, such as crazy hair.
Electrons
Everything in the universe is made up of atoms. These atoms consist of three primary parts; neutrons, protons and electrons. Neutrons are, as the name implies, neutral. They contribute no charge. Protons are positively charged. Electrons are negatively charged. Protons and neutrons form the nucleus of an atom, while the electrons are present in (mostly) spherical clouds around the nucleus. It is because of this geometry, and the fact that electrons are 2,000 times less heavy than protons, that electrons tend to be the atomic currency. They are readily exchanged to and from other atoms.
Formation of Charge
The process that electrons use to build up on surfaces is simple. When two different materials contact each other, the free electrons in the materials have the opportunity to move from one material to the other. If one of the objects is made of a material that has lots of free electrons, such as nylon, wool and hair, and the other material does not have an excess of electrons, then electrons will move more readily from one object to the other. This change in electrons creates a charge on each object. A common example is rubbing silk on a rubber rod. The silk will lose many of its electrons, and the rod will gain them. The rod can then be used to pick up small pieces of paper. This transferring of electrons is called the triboelectric effect.
Charging Hair
Human hair is very high on the triboelectric series, which ranks materials on their ability to lose or gain electrons. Human hair readily gives up electrons to many other materials, such as silk, cotton, nylon, wool, acrylic, rubber and PVC. These materials are often encountered in your everyday life. Carpets may be wool or cotton, as well as hats and other articles of clothing. PVC often is used to make replica leather clothes. Because you are frequently exposed to these materials, you are bound to experience the effects of an electron imbalance eventually.
Effects of Charge on Hair
Scientists still are trying to understand why exactly it happens, but like charges repel. As your hair loses electrons to stray balloons and woolen hats, it gradually builds up a net positive charge. Because each hair is free to move, at least to some extent, the individual hairs will attempt to orient themselves to repel each other as much as possible. This is what causes the hair to stand up; every individual hair is trying to get as far from every other hair as possible. The effect is more noticeable depending on the amount of charge; people who have touched a static generator can attest to the power of electricity.
Reducing Static
There are several methods for reducing the effects of static hair. Keeping your hair moisturized with a good conditioner is paramount, as dry hair exposes more surface area and the static effect will be stronger. A dryer sheet, which is designed to reduce static, can be rubbed on your brush or hair itself and kept in a pocket for touch-ups throughout the day. Also note that static electricity is rapidly dispersed in the presence of water, so having a humidifier present in your home during dry summer months will help as well.
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