The triboelectric series is a classification of materials based on their tendency to gain or lose electrons when they come into contact with each other through friction. When two different materials rub against each other, electrons can be transferred from one material to the other, leading to the buildup of static electric charges on the surfaces of the materials. The triboelectric series ranks materials based on the relative strength of their tendency to become positively or negatively charged.
In simpler terms, some materials have a greater affinity for picking up electrons and becoming negatively charged (electron donors), while others have a greater affinity for losing electrons and becoming positively charged (electron acceptors). When these materials come into contact and then separate, one material might end up with a positive charge, and the other with a negative charge.
Here's a simplified example of the triboelectric series, arranged from most negative to most positive (electron donors to electron acceptors):
Fur
Nylon
Wool
Silk
Aluminum
Paper
Wood
Cotton
Steel
Glass
Polyester
Polyurethane
Polyethylene (like plastic wrap)
Polypropylene
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Teflon (PTFE)
Silicon
Rubber
Gold
Silver
Keep in mind that this is just a simplified example, and the actual triboelectric series can vary depending on the specific materials involved and the conditions under which they come into contact. The triboelectric effect is the basis for many everyday phenomena, such as static electricity buildup when you shuffle across a carpet and then touch a metal object, or the way some materials cling to each other when rubbed together.