Why does static electricity gather on glass CRT TV screens?
CRT displays fire electrons at the back of the screen, creating something of an electrical charge on the surface and electrical field inside the cathode ray tube, with the electron beam being controlled by induced magnetic fields. Eventually a static charge may build up on the other side (viewer’s side) of the screen, especially if the screen has been cleaned with cleaners such as Windex or has had any liquid sprayed directly onto the screen, which can cause the anti-static coating of the glass (as well as the anti-glare coating) to wear off. The entire tube itself is in fact a giant capacitor, and can hold an electrical charge for a very long time after the device has been unplugged.
