Electrostatic Hanging Power

On Tuesday, January 30, 2018 at 1:33:15 PM UTC-8, hanson wrote:
in https://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2018/01/todays-physics-puzzler/

Kevin Drum wrote:
OK, physics nerds, here's your chance for glory. I tossed an empty
fun-size Milky Way wrapper on the floor, but instead it stuck to a
book on a nearby shelf (see picture in the above link).

It is hanging there purely by the power of static electricity,
not because it's got sticky chocolate residue on it.

How long will it stay there?

I want no excuses about not knowing what the weather is
like or how much the wrapper weighs or precisely what kind
of paper the publisher used for the book jacket for Quicksilver.

I, Kevin just want educated guesses on this question that's
of critical importance to ordinary citizens.
What do you say?

My brother weaseled out by claiming it was "really more of an
engineering question."
I, Kevin, hope I can expect better from my readers.


Until the 12th of never.

Double-A

Double-A wrote:
On Tuesday, January 30, 2018 at 1:33:15 PM UTC-8, hanson wrote:
in
https://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2018/01/todays-physics-puzzler/

Kevin Drum wrote:
OK, physics nerds, here's your chance for glory. I tossed an empty
fun-size Milky Way wrapper on the floor, but instead it stuck to a
book on a nearby shelf (see picture in the above link).

It is hanging there purely by the power of static electricity,
not because it's got sticky chocolate residue on it.

How long will it stay there?

I want no excuses about not knowing what the weather is
like or how much the wrapper weighs or precisely what kind
of paper the publisher used for the book jacket for Quicksilver.

I, Kevin just want educated guesses on this question that's
of critical importance to ordinary citizens.
What do you say?

My brother weaseled out by claiming it was "really more of an
engineering question."
I, Kevin, hope I can expect better from my readers.


Until the 12th of never.

Double-A




The OP is a pig.
I'm guessing if they throw candy wrappers on the floor the cabinet where is
stuck is probably covered with God knows what kind of unidentifieable goop.