Static Electricity

Question 1

how is a build up of static caused?

Answer 1

A build up of static is caused by friction, if two insulating materials are rubbed together, negatively charged electrons are scraped off one and dumped on the other. This leaves a positive charge on one and a negative charge on the other, the charges depend on the materials

Question 2

do charged atoms ever move?

Answer 2

Charged atoms never move it is always the movement of the electrons, a positive static charge is caused by electrons moving away elsewhere, the material that loses the electrons losses some negative charge and is left with an equal positive charge