Q. 4.24 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

Sometimes clothes cling together when removed from a dryer. What kinds  of charges are on the clothes?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

They are drawn to clothing that is neutral or has the opposite charge because they have been charged by interaction with other clothes.

Step 1: Given information

We need to find out what are the charges on the clothing when clothing are retrieved from the dryer.

Step 2: Explanation

Static electricity arises when electrons migrate from one service to another, leaving one piece of material with $1$ positive charge and other with a negative charge. When synthetic textiles rub against each other or dry skin, static electricity is formed. Your clothes will stick together when you take them out of the dryer. In addition to rubbing together, water is extracted from the substance as well as the surrounding air. Static electricity is more active in dry environments.

Some of these materials have a positive electrical charge, while others have a negative electrical charge, leading them to attract or cling.