Electrostatics
Photocopier
Introduction
Some History of the Photocopier
Photocopier
How the Photocopier Works
The photocopier works using static electricity and the attraction of unlike charges. Inside the machine there is a rotating drum coated with a material that allows electricity to flow when light shines on it. The material is positively charged with static electricity.The light from the white areas of the item to be copied, shines on the drum and the charge flows away from the material. The black areas keep the negative charge, and attract the negatively charged powder, the toner, which is then transferred to the paper. That is how the ink is transferred to the paper and the paper is photocopied.
It’s not ink
Photocopiers use toner, which is a mixture of plastic granules, rust, pigment, and wax. The granules accept a photostatic charge and are attracted to a photosensitive drum. This drum transfers images to paper. The toner is then sealed to the paper using a heat process. Ink, on the other hand, is placed on the paper through the use of tiny jets which push the liquid in a series of pulses.
Citations
Graham, Ian. Science Encyclopedia. Bristol: Dempsey Parr, 1999. Print.
"The Photocopier." The Photocopier. N.p., 2002. Web. 13 Feb. 2013.
Parker, Barry. Physics. New York: Collins, 2007. Print.
"GCSE Science/Uses of Static Electricity." - Wikibooks, Open Books for an Open World. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2013.