What makes clingfilm sticky?

As you peel a piece of clingfilm (also known as food wrap) off the roll, some of the electrons from one layer are pulled onto the other layer, producing areas of positive and negative charge.

Clingfilm is made of thin plastic, a good insulator, ensuring that it holds an electrostatic charge for a while.

When the clingfilm touches another insulating surface, such as glass, the charged clingfilm is attracted to the opposing charge of the surface.

But don’t bother trying to stick clingfilm to a conducting material such as a metal bowl – its electrostatic charge dissipates so the clingfilm quickly loses its sticking power.

Answered by Alexandra Cheung