Why would dust be attracted to a CD wiped with a dry cloth?

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter kdkovach
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Dust
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Dust is attracted to CDs wiped with a dry cloth due to the transfer of electrons during the wiping process, resulting in a charged CD. This charge generates an electric field that polarizes nearby dust particles, leading to their attraction to the CD. The phenomenon is rooted in fundamental physics principles regarding static electricity and electrostatic forces.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of static electricity
  • Basic knowledge of electric fields
  • Familiarity with particle polarization
  • Concept of electron transfer
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of static electricity in detail
  • Explore the concept of electric fields and their effects on particles
  • Study the process of electron transfer and its implications
  • Investigate the behavior of polarized particles in electric fields
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding the principles of electrostatics and their real-world applications.

kdkovach
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
In terms of physics, why is dust attracted to CD's after they are wiped with a dry cloth?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
kdkovach said:
In terms of physics, why is dust attracted to CD's after they are wiped with a dry cloth?
During the wiping process either electrons are transferred to the cloth from the CD or from the CD to the cloth. In either case the CD becomes charged. The charge produces an electric field which polarizes dust particles near it and the polarized dust particles are then attracted to the charged CD.

Pete
 
Thank you so much Pete. That helps a lot.
 

Similar threads

Is It Safe to Inject a COVID Booster Before the Alcohol Prep Pad Dries?
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
3K
High School A question about why gravity is only attractive
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Graduate What does it mean to model the distribution of galaxies as cosmic dust?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
High School Can clothes dry without any air movement
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
Undergrad Does Space Curvature Account for Gravity Between Individual Atoms?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Undergrad How Bright Would the Milky Way Look If It Had No Dust?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
A wet cloth has been hung out to dry....
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Energy Saving/High Efficiency Clothes Washers Are a Horrible Design/Concept
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
4K
High School Problems I Have With Electrostatics and Pith Ball Experiments
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
4K
Undergrad Why Is Gravity Always Attractive?
  • · Replies 39 ·
2
Replies
39
Views
5K