Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I just completed the "How Do Different Materials React To Static Electricity" from Science Buddies. I never could figure out why some materials built up more static electrical charge than others. I think that any electrons that built up on test materials that were good conductors ( like aluminum, copper ) were conducted away, but I had my test materials on a clear glass plate. Some materials that I thought were poor conductors ( like tupperware, foam plate ) held more static charge.
Others like rubber held very little static charge. I want to know what makes a material be able to build up or not build up a static charge, all conditions being the same?

Thanks so much for any help you can give me,

Queen E.

Hi,

I think you will find these pages on the Triboelectric effect and series informative:

http://www.siliconfareast.com/tribo_series.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triboelectric_effect

http://regentsprep.org/Regents/physics/ ... efault.htm

http://www.school-for-champions.com/sci ... erials.htm

http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~scdiroff/ld ... fects.html

Best wishes for a great project!

Barrett Tomlinson