Stationary electric charge is called static electricity. Static electricity is an imbalance of electric charges within or on a material or object. It can occur when two materials with different types of charges are rubbed together, causing electrons to be transferred between them. The material that gains electrons becomes negatively charged, while the material that loses electrons becomes positively charged. The imbalance of charges creates a static electric field around the object. Static electricity can cause a variety of effects, including sparks, shocks, and the attraction of dust and lint.