You know what I mean - you're wearing a navy-blue t-shirt, and almost as soon as you put it on, it's "magically" covered with tiny little dust or lint particles. But that sort if thing doesn't happen with white, or light grey shirts? Anybody have an explanation for this strange phenomenon?
2006-08-09 18:18:09 · 16 answers · asked by zerggle 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
It does stick to light-colored clothes -- you just don't notice it because the lint is the same color as the cloth.
2006-08-09 18:20:21 · answer #1 · answered by Fall Down Laughing 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Aha, but that's just it: lint DOES stick to light colored shirts also!
The difference is, you can't see it easily on light colored shirts, because it is light also; it blends in.
On dark colored shirts, light colored lint sticks out nice and clear for all to see. And so you notice it.
(Irrelevent side note:)This is an excellent example of human thinking, and how errors can occur.
Given only the information you had (you see lint on dark shirts, but not on light shirts), you came to what seems like a completely reasonable conclusion (something about dark shirts makes more lint stick to them), when in reality, it's absolutely incorrect.
This is a lesson that applies to a lot of things in life; just because something seems right or feels right doesn't mean it IS right.
2006-08-10 01:19:33 · answer #2 · answered by extton 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is just more noticeable. There is the same amount on the shirt, it's just that you can see the light lint against a dark background better than against a light background. If you used one of those sticky lint rollers, it has the same amount of stuff on it on both color shirts.
2006-08-10 01:21:53 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's the contrast of the dark cloth and the light colored lint. The lint doesn't contrast with the light fabric.
2006-08-10 01:21:04 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contrasting colors! Light colored lint will show up on dark surfaces.
Light colored lint still attaches itself to light colored cloting. You just don't see it!
Dry a white top with a fuzzy dark colored top and you'll see lint on the light colored top!
2006-08-10 01:20:58 · answer #5 · answered by WhatAmI? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lint is white. You can't SEE it on a light coloured shirt but there is just as much of it.
2006-08-10 01:21:26 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
lint sticks to all colors of clothes....if you dont want your darks to have little noticable lint then wash and dry with like color clothing. And ALWAYS use dryer sheets
2006-08-10 01:22:19 · answer #7 · answered by Bo Beeta 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Now be careful, 'cause this answer is just going to BLOW your mind. But....(are yousure you're ready for this?) lint tends to be LIGHT COLORED, and light colors show up better against a dark background than a light one. OH MY GOODNESS! Blows your mind, doesn't it?
2006-08-10 01:21:50 · answer #8 · answered by Aliza, Queen of the Night 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It does stick to light colors, it just doesn't show as well. Also, type of fabric makes a difference.
2006-08-10 01:25:11 · answer #9 · answered by Spruce 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
this question seemingly innocuous is way transcendental/ make pretend the dust particles are transmigrating souls/ and the white shirt is heaven and the black shirt is hell
2006-08-10 01:24:28 · answer #10 · answered by darkangel1111 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋