Does the photocopier use static electricity?

Answer 1

Photcopiers do use static electricity as an integral part of the copying process. A simplified description of how this is done is given below.

Stage onePositive charge is applied to a plate from a high voltage power supply. The plate is connected to the earth (electrical ground) but the charge does not have quite enough energy to flow away Stage twoA light is shown onto the page to be copied and reflected onto the plate. Where the paper is dark no light reaches the plate. Where the paper is white (or light) the light falling on the plate gives it just the extra energy needed to allow the charge to escape to earth (ground). The plate becomes neutral where the paper is white but keeps its charge where the paper is black. The plate surface now has an invisible, electrostatic copy of the original. Stage threeElectrically charged toner particles are sprayed onto the plate. The charged toner is attracted to the areas of positive charge, creating a toner image of the original on the plate . Stage fourA piece of paper is given a very strong positive charge, and then placed in contact with the plate. The paper attracts the toner away from the plate. The paper is then removed from the plate and passed through a heating unit. The heat melts the toner and bonds it to the paper, producing a photocopy.

In a modern photocopier, there is no plate, just a large drum. As the drum rotates it's surface goes through stages one through four. At the end of the sequence a scraper removes any toner left on the drum and the whole process is repeated with a new image.

A good photocopier, duplicator or printer (all use the same technology) is capable of producing 20 to 200 pages per minute (20- 200 ppm) depending on machine design.

Answer 2

Yes the electrons form the pattern that the ink sticks to