Getting a newspaper page to stick to a wall using wooden pencil

[johann1301h]

Hi!

Im trying out an experiment, where a newspaper page is supposed to stick to a wall using a wooden pencil, by rubbing the pencils long side on the newspaper page while its on the wall.

But its not really working.

I have checked the pencil, and there is no coating on it, just wood. It is summertime so it may be moist air? Or perhaps it is the wall?

Any ideas?

 

[.Scott]

I'm guessing the method of sticking is to produce an electrostatic charge between the paper and the wall.
Two factors would affect this:
1) The material on the surface of the wall. It should be different than paper.
2) The ambient humidity. Summer would be the worse time to do this experiment - unless you are using air conditioning.

Wiki: Triboelectric effect

 

[johann1301h]

The wall(s) I have tried are painted. So I'm guessing its the humidity then...

 

[johann1301h]

Is it a dumb idea to try drying the wall, the pen and the paper with a blowdryer?

 

[.Scott]

Is it a dumb idea to try drying the wall, the pen and the paper with a blowdryer?

If the air is humid, you haven't a chance.
Move to a room with A/C.

 

[johann1301h]

Thanks!

 

[Baluncore]

Friction between the wall and paper prevents the paper sliding down to the floor. Maximise friction, do not polish the wall.

Air is displaced from the space between the paper and the wall as triboelectric surface charge is created by the pencil.

The paper needs to remain flat and against the wall so electrostatic 1/r² over the paper surface is maximised and preserved.

The paper needs to be dry, so surface charges will not quickly dissipate.

 

[Klystron]

You could double down on humidity. If rules allow, moisten the paper (or the wall) slightly with your hand, a sponge or a sprayer. Use the pencil as a roller from the top of the paper or from the center outward to the edges.

Similar to papier-mache technique or wall-paper hanging without mucilage.

Last idea if the above dry and the wet methods fail: drive the sharp end of the pencil through the paper into a soft area of drywall deep enough to mount pencil and paper.

Warnings: Requires patching wall after experiment. Does not demonstrate electrostatics.

 

[Dale]

Depending on the modulus of elasticity and the yield strength of the wall and the pencil you could orient the pencil normal to the surface of the wall and the paper, and apply sufficient force to cause plastic deformation. This method of attachment should be robust to typical environmental variations.

 

[256bits]

I tried a small piece of newspaper (8x3 inch) on a glass door and it works - paper stayed there for 2 seconds, and then straight down hugging the glass.