Create a dust attracting piece of paper

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of creating a dust-attracting piece of paper for use in equipment that scans images. Participants explore methods to charge paper to attract dust, while also considering the implications of such a solution within the context of physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that rubbing cardboard can attract dust, raising the question of whether a similar method can be applied to paper without physical rubbing.
  • Another participant proposes simply purchasing pre-made dust-attracting sheets as a practical solution, which is challenged by others who seek a deeper understanding of the underlying physics.
  • A participant expresses concern that the discussion is veering towards product recommendations rather than exploring the physics involved in charging paper to attract dust.
  • There is a mention of the potential ineffectiveness of a charged piece of paper, prompting a quiz question about the problems associated with this approach.
  • Another participant speculates that one issue may be paper's inability to hold a charge effectively, suggesting that materials like polyester might perform better.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best approach to creating a dust-attracting paper. There are competing views on whether to pursue a theoretical understanding of charging paper or to adopt practical solutions like purchasing existing products.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the effectiveness of charged paper and the implications of using different materials. The discussion also touches on the relevance of the physics forum's focus and the nature of questions being posed.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those exploring practical applications of physics in everyday problems, particularly in relation to electrostatics and material properties.

marcophys
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I'm looking at equipment that scans an image through a feeder... evidently dust build up could be a problem.
Thinking of a piece of paper, that might attract dust, that could be run through it (I saw a vid of a piece of cleaning paper run through a system - I'm presuming it is 'dust attractive')..
... I rubbed a piece of cardboard aggressively, on cardboard.
Result: the rubbed cardboard picked up dust from a surface.

However... this may be fine for a small piece of cardboard, but is there a way to charge (negatively presumably) a piece of paper, say A5 or A4... without rubbing it?

(PS. Just encountered the pre-fix requirement for the first time - slightly fazed by this)
 
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marcophys said:
(I saw a vid of a piece of cleaning paper run through a system - I'm presuming it is 'dust attractive')

Can you just get some of those sheets? That seems like the most reliable way to go.
 
berkeman said:
Can you just get some of those sheets? That seems like the most reliable way to go.
Well that's one way of looking at the solution.....
But to be honest, it doesn't really address the physics at question, vis a vis 'physics forum'.
Rather, it fundamentally avoids the question.

What i was interested in, was learning how to charge a piece of paper, to attract dust.
Iit's a global issue, that can probably be solved by knowledge of physics.

I've always considered, that sharing questions, is as good as sharing answers.
Some questions have limited appeal... others have more global significance.
I think that this one is in the latter group.

Where are we going, with physics forums?
Do we just accept... or do we question?

... and are we encountering real life scenarios, and relating them to physics... or is the path set towards 'high school, grad, p grad' questions, that are to be regurgitated?

Is the requirement for a 'school pre-fix' a coincidence, or a new direction for physics forums?
This is the first time I've seen, a physics question, transformed into a 'buy signal' for a product.

Anyway... like a black sheep... I've raised those issues, for worthy reflection.
In the meantime... can anybody answer the question (for the benefit of all members viewing this topic)?

:)
 
LOL. I guess I should have prefaced my question with the comment that a charged piece of paper is a poor solution to the problem.

Quiz Question -- what are the 2 biggest problems with it?
 
Thanks for that... yes the preface would have helped considerably... no harm done :smile:

Is one of the reasons because paper is poor at holding a charge?

I believe that polyester is better.
or perhaps paper cannot hold the correct charge (-ve)
 

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