Category: Home & Objects
Browsing posts filed under "Home & Objects".
What makes crumbs stick to the bottom of a backpack?
Crumbs stick to your backpack thanks to a tag team of static electricity, sticky residues from old snacks or spills, the nooks and crannies of the bag's fabric, and pressure from your stuff mashing them in!**
May 28, 2025
Why do rubber-soled shoes squeak on some indoor floors but not others?
That embarrassing squeak from your shoes happens when sticky rubber soles rapidly grip and release on super-smooth, clean floors, creating tiny vibrations you hear as sound.**
May 26, 2025
Why does cutting foil leave jagged edges that peel differently?
Aluminum foil's super-thin, soft nature means it tears more than cuts, and those tiny serrated box edges start unpredictable rips instead of clean slices, leading to those jagged, frustrating edges.**
May 22, 2025
Why do rubber eyeglass nose pads turn yellow over time?
Your eyeglass nose pads turn yellow mainly because the rubber or silicone material reacts over time with things like your skin's oils, sweat, cosmetics, and good old sunlight, causing a chemical change.
May 22, 2025
Why does a folded paper fan open smoother in one direction than reverse?
A folded paper fan opens smoother in one direction because the paper "remembers" its original creases, and the mountain-and-valley fold structure is designed to collapse and expand efficiently in that specific sequence.**
May 21, 2025
What makes a plastic pill blister pack crack when bent sharply?
Pill blister packs crack because the clear plastic dome is rigid and snaps under sharp bending pressure, while the foil backing is designed to break easily.**
May 16, 2025
Why do old paperback books feel warmer in your hands than hardcovers?
Old paperbacks feel warmer than hardcovers because their paper is more porous and traps air, making them better insulators and preventing heat from your hand from escaping quickly. Hardcovers use denser, smoother materials that conduct heat away from your skin more efficiently, so they feel cooler to the touch.
May 9, 2025
Why do footprints show on dusty surfaces but not on glass windows?
Footprints show on dust because your foot squishes or pushes aside loose particles, leaving a clear shape, while super-smooth glass has nothing loose to disturb.**
May 6, 2025
What causes crayon shavings to stick when rubbed on paper?
Rubbing a crayon creates friction, which generates just enough heat to slightly melt the wax, letting it flow into and grab onto the tiny fibers of the paper.**
May 5, 2025