Chapter 20, Problem 28A

To determine

To Explain: The reason for the clinging of socks to other clothes when they are taken out of the dryer.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Insulating materials become charged by rubbing against each other. This is called charging by friction. While rubbing, the electrons (that are negatively charged) are rubbed off from one material and move to another material. The material which loses its electrons becomes positively charged and the material which gains electrons becomes negatively charged.

In the dryer, the socks rub with other clothes. This may lead to the charging of the socks by friction. The socks may be positively or negatively charged and hence cling to other clothes that are neutral or oppositely charged.