The buildup of static charge often occurs due to friction. At a microscopic level, even smooth surfaces are rough and irregular.

Friction is a force between two surfaces rubbing against each other. If the surfaces are smooth, there is less friction. If the surfaces are rough, there is more friction. If you rub your hands ...

However, this is a good thing for ice skating and sledging. Friction is a force between two surfaces that are sliding, or trying to slide, across each other. For example, when you try to push a ...

The EC-SFA provides insights into the behavior of smooth and rough gold surfaces ... The SFA has greatly contributed to our understanding of surface phenomena, such as adhesion, friction, and ...

These authors stated that for each metal the transition from smooth to stick-slip sliding and a rise in the friction occurred at the melting or softening point of a surface film of metal soap ...