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Quizzes > Computers & Technology > Electronics & Gadgets

Think You Know Electrostatic Discharge Examples? Take the Quiz!

Spot common discharge scenarios and learn to neutralize electrostatic charges

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for electrostatic discharge quiz on sky blue background

Use this electrostatic discharge examples quiz to spot real ESD events, choose safe steps, and protect sensitive gear. Practice causes and fixes, see why even a few volts can harm a chip, then try a practice round or a quick review to check gaps before the lab.

What is electrostatic discharge (ESD)?
The gradual movement of ions between materials over time
The flow of protons between charged objects
The sudden flow of electrons between two objects at different potentials
A controlled current used in electronics testing
ESD is the rapid transfer of charge when two objects at different electrical potentials come into contact or close proximity. This discharge can damage sensitive electronic components. Understanding ESD is critical for protecting electronics.
Which process often generates static electricity on everyday materials?
Exposure to direct sunlight
High humidity levels
Friction between two different materials
Magnetic induction
Friction causes electrons to transfer from one material to another, creating static charge - a phenomenon known as the triboelectric effect. Common examples include rubbing a balloon on hair. This process underlies most ESD events.
What is the standard unit of electric charge?
Coulomb
Ampere
Watt
Volt
Electric charge is measured in coulombs (C), named after Charles-Augustin de Coulomb. This unit quantifies the amount of charge transferred by a current of one ampere in one second. Accurate knowledge of units is fundamental in ESD calculations.
Which protective device is commonly used to safely discharge static from a person to ground?
A fuse
A wrist strap with a grounding cord
A surge protector
A magnetic wristband
An ESD wrist strap provides a controlled path for static charge to dissipate from the person to ground, preventing sudden discharges. The built-in resistor in the cord limits current for safety.
What color are ESD-safe mats typically?
Yellow
Blue
White
Red
ESD-safe floor and bench mats are often blue or green to distinguish them from non-ESD surfaces. These mats are made of static-dissipative materials to safely route charges to ground.
What is the recommended maximum resistance for the grounding path in an ESD wrist strap system?
10 gigohms
1 ohm
100 ohms
1 megaohm
ESD wrist straps include a 1 M? resistor to limit current but still provide a low-resistance path to ground via the wearer. This balance protects electronics while ensuring user safety.
Which component is most sensitive to ESD damage?
Resistor
Transformer
Ceramic capacitor
MOSFET transistor
MOSFETs and other semiconductor devices have very thin gate oxides that can be punctured by ESD events. Passive components like resistors and capacitors are generally more robust.
At roughly what voltage can ESD events begin to damage sensitive semiconductor devices?
1 volt
5 volts
0.01 volts
100 volts
Many semiconductor devices can be damaged by discharges above about 100 V, well within the range of static voltages humans can generate by walking or touching materials. Even small discharges can cause latent defects.
Which ESD control standard is widely adopted in the electronics industry?
ANSI/ESD S20.20
IEEE 802.11
MIL-STD-810
ISO 9001
ANSI/ESD S20.20 is the primary standard for establishing a comprehensive ESD control program in electronics manufacturing. It covers requirements for grounding, packaging, personnel, and training.
What is the primary purpose of an ionizer in an ESD protected area?
Increase ambient humidity
Neutralize charges on insulative surfaces
Lower the temperature of work areas
Amplify static on conductors
Ionizers emit balanced positive and negative ions to neutralize static charges on insulators that cannot be grounded. This reduces the risk of unexpected ESD events.
Which clothing material is commonly used to make ESD-safe garments?
Polyester - cotton blend with conductive fibers
100% wool
Leather
100% cotton
ESD-safe garments are made from blends of polyester and cotton interwoven with conductive threads to dissipate static charges from the wearer. Pure natural fibers lack consistent conductivity.
How often should wrist straps be electrically tested in a professional ESD control program?
Only at installation
Monthly
Yearly
Daily before use
Daily testing of wrist straps ensures they maintain proper resistance and a reliable ground path. Frequent checks prevent unnoticed failures that could lead to ESD damage.
Which of the following describes the proper construction of an ESD wrist strap system?
A metal bracelet and direct earth ground, no resistor
A conductive wristband and a grounding cord with built-in resistor
A nylon strap treated with antistatic spray
A rubber wristband and a grounded cable without resistor
A proper ESD wrist strap uses a conductive band connected via a cord containing a 1 M? resistor to ground. This limits current for user safety while ensuring charge dissipation.
In an ESD protected area, which floor material is commonly used?
Hardwood
ESD vinyl flooring
Ceramic tile
Standard carpet
ESD vinyl flooring is static-dissipative and provides a controlled path to ground for charges on personnel and carts. Non-ESD floors can accumulate dangerous static.
What tool is typically used to measure the surface resistance of an ESD bench mat?
A multimeter in voltage mode
An ammeter
A resistance meter (megohmmeter)
A frequency counter
A megohmmeter applies a known voltage and measures current to calculate surface resistance across an ESD mat. This verifies compliance with ESD control specifications.
What term describes the accumulation of charge on insulating materials?
Radiation
Conduction
Tribocharging
Induction
Tribocharging occurs when two different insulators come into contact and separate, transferring charge and leaving one surface positively charged and the other negatively charged. This effect is the root cause of many ESD incidents.
What is the approximate dielectric breakdown strength of dry air at sea level?
5 MV/cm
300 V/cm
1 kV/cm
30 kV/cm
Dry air breaks down at roughly 3×106 V/m or 30 kV/cm, leading to spark discharges. Knowing this helps in designing safe clearances for ESD protection.
Which ESD coupling mechanism involves a spark or arc through air?
Electromagnetic coupling
Spark discharge
Capacitive coupling
Inductive coupling
Spark discharge is the direct breakdown of air between two conductors, causing a visible arc. It is a primary ESD event mechanism in low-humidity conditions.
What is the function of the resistor in an ESD wrist strap cord?
Measure the accumulated charge
Increase discharge speed
Amplify the user's static voltage
Limit discharge current to a safe level
The 1 M? resistor in the wrist strap cord limits current flow during contact with a charged object, protecting the user from electrical shock while allowing static to dissipate slowly.
In ESD testing, what device is used to simulate electrostatic discharge events for equipment qualification?
A function generator
A thermal chamber
An ESD simulator (gun)
A spectrum analyzer
An ESD simulator, often called an ESD gun, generates controlled discharge pulses to test device immunity to various ESD events per standards like IEC 61000-4-2.
Which PCB layout practice helps reduce susceptibility to ESD?
Routing traces over board edges
Keeping signal traces close to a solid ground plane
Using only single-ended traces
Avoiding via stitching
Close coupling of signal traces to a ground plane minimizes loop area and helps shunt ESD currents safely to ground, reducing induced voltages.
How does increased humidity affect the likelihood of ESD events?
Higher humidity increases static buildup
Only temperature affects ESD risk
Humidity has no effect on ESD
Higher humidity reduces static buildup and ESD risk
Moist air improves surface conductivity, allowing charges to dissipate more quickly and reducing the magnitude of static voltages. Controlled humidity is an effective ESD mitigation strategy.
Which common material is conductive enough to use as a makeshift ESD ground reference?
Cardboard
Plastic wrap
Aluminum foil
Rubber mat
Aluminum foil is conductive and can serve temporarily as a ground reference by connecting it to earth ground. Insulative materials like plastic or rubber do not provide a discharge path.
What is the recommended surface resistance range for ESD bench mats?
Less than 1 ohm
1×10¹² to 1×10¹? ohms
1×10? to 1×10? ohms
1×10³ to 1×10? ohms
ESD bench mats are designed to be static-dissipative, with surface resistances between 10? and 10? ohms to control discharge rates safely. Too low or too high resistance can either allow rapid discharge or insufficient grounding.
Which of the following is NOT required by the ANSI/ESD S20.20 standard for an ESD control program?
Documentation of an ESD control plan
Mandatory use of ionizing blowers in non-controlled areas
Employee ESD awareness training
Regular verification of grounding connections
ANSI/ESD S20.20 mandates documentation, grounding verification, and personnel training but does not require ionizing blowers outside designated ESD protected areas. Ionizers are optional tools within EPA boundaries.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Electrostatic Discharge Examples -

    Learn to recognize which of these is an example of an electrostatic discharge by exploring real-world scenarios and the physics behind ESD events.

  2. Identify Common ESD Sources -

    Pinpoint everyday materials and processes that generate static electricity and pose risks to esd sensitive components can be damaged by as little as a few volts.

  3. Analyze Component Vulnerabilities -

    Assess how and why ESD sensitive components can fail under minimal charge, reinforcing the importance of careful handling and protection strategies.

  4. Apply Neutralization Techniques -

    Discover how to neutralize electrostatic charges from insulators using proven grounding, ionization, and humidity-control methods in your workspace.

  5. Evaluate Your Knowledge with a Discharge Quiz -

    Test your ESD skills through a scored discharge quiz that offers instant feedback and identifies areas for further study.

  6. Implement Best Practices for ESD Safety -

    Adopt professional guidelines and preventive measures to protect sensitive electronics and maintain a safe, static-free environment.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Fundamentals of Electrostatic Charge -

    Electrostatic discharge examples all stem from Coulomb's law (F = k·q1·q2/r²), which describes the force between charged bodies. Charges accumulate when insulators rub together, creating a potential difference that can spark upon contact. Remember "Like charges repel, opposites attract" to quickly recall the basic charge interactions.

  2. Everyday ESD Scenarios -

    Examples include that tiny zap when touching a doorknob after walking on carpet or the arc seen during jumper-cable connections. In discharge quiz questions asking "which of these is an example of an electrostatic discharge?", human-body model discharges and machine-model arcs are common correct answers. These everyday moments highlight why staying grounded is key when handling sensitive parts.

  3. Damage Thresholds for Electronics -

    esd sensitive components can be damaged by as little as 30 volts in the human-body model, while machine models can introduce thousands of volts instantly. JEDEC standards note that microchips and MOSFETs often fail well below 400 V, making strict ESD control essential in production. Always review component datasheets to confirm safe handling voltages.

  4. Neutralizing Static on Insulators -

    To neutralize electrostatic charges from insulators use ionizing blowers or anti-static sprays that emit balanced positive and negative ions. Controlling ambient humidity above 40% also helps dissipate charge by creating a conductive moisture layer. Regularly cleaning with ESD-safe wipes prevents hidden buildup and keeps your workspace charge-free.

  5. Key ESD Protection Tools -

    A grounded wrist strap (<1 MΩ) is your first line of defense, tying your potential directly to earth ground. Pair it with conductive mats and ESD-safe tools using the mnemonic "W-A-T" (Wrist strap, Anti-static mat, Tools) to remember the essentials. Test your setup routinely with a ground integrity checker to ensure a rock-solid defense.

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