What is static electricity and what is the difference from "normal electricity"?
The ideas
Electrons are part of the atoms, along with protons and neutrons. Since their discovery, electrons have been used by in a variety of ways. All sorts of devices have been built to get the electrons to do something interesting.
For instance, electrons can be forced to move around a circuit, where they are pushed by a force. The stronger the force, the faster electrons can move . A group of electrons moving is called an electric current (I) , or a current of electrons (it is a good name, isn't?). A group of electrons not moving is called a charge, or an electrical charge (Q). The force is proportional to the voltage (V), the higher the voltage, the higher the current.
As the electrons travel along the wire, they encounter obstacles which slow them down. These can be resistances (R) for instance. Others can be a light bulb, or a buzzer, or a motor etc ...Furthermore, there is a resistance caused by the wire itself, which is some sort of friction between the moving electrons and the wire. The voltage must be kept on so that the electrons are kept moving despite the obstacles.
Perhaps one of the most exciting electrical devices is the transistor, which makes possible the existence of computers, TV's, stereos and almost every single electric appliance we see nowadays. An appliance like a TV is a complex combination of transistors, resistances, capacitors and many other components. The current of electrons can do so many things ... This "type" of electricity , which powers devices, motors and can travel in power lines or in small wires around the home is what is seen as "Normal" electricity.
However there is another "type" which is known as static electricity. They are both electricity, because they are about the same thing: movements of electrons.
A lightning stroke is an example of a process involving "Static electricity". That is because there is a build up of electrical charge (electrons) in the clouds. Actually static electricity is not a very good name for this "type" of electricity because static means not moving, and lightning is a very dynamical event . The charges eventually move between the skies and the earth's crust , what is a very exciting journey. Furthermore, the build up of charges in the cloud, which causes lightning, is caused by the movement of air which is rising from the bottom of the cloud to the top. As a result of this friction (air-cloud) electrons from air are deposited in the cloud, which can become highly charged . This excess of charge is liberated towards the ground or a neighbouring cloud, which is not negatively charged to that extent. This is lightning.
Static means not moving. However, electricity is very often moving and that is one of the reason why it can be so useful. In conclusion, static electricity is not a very good name for this "type" of electricity, A more appropriate way to distinguish between these two aspects of electricity is that:
Static electricity
Involves very high voltages and very low currents.
Doesn't usually travel inside wires.
"Normal" electricity
Involves much lower voltages and much higher currents
Usually travels inside wires
The numbers
Static electricity involves very high and very low numbers, so that calculations would be a bit complicate. So, there is no calculations on that! (luck you!)
However you need to know some facts and also about the electroscope, which is an instrument that measures this sort of electricity.
Calculations are done on normal electricity, where easy numbers are used. For instance 5 V, 240 V , 5 A, etc...
Ohm's law will solve almost all your exercises in this area.
It is : V = R I or , if we rearrange it : I = V / R (they are both the same formula)