Why does dust build up on shelves and tables?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: Dust particles drift down and settle when the air is still
The surfaces slowly wear away into dust — Furniture doesn't turn into much dust; most house dust is skin flakes, fibers from clothes and carpets, and soil tracked in from outside. It lands on surfaces from the air.
Dust particles drift down and settle when the air is still ✓ — Household dust is a mix of skin flakes, fabric fibers, soil and pollen floating in the air. The particles are heavier than air, so whenever the air is still they slowly sink, and flat, undisturbed surfaces like shelves collect the most.
Static electricity pulls dust onto every surface — Static pulls dust only onto charged things like TV screens and plastic, not onto every surface. Wooden shelves gather dust mainly because particles settle out of still air.