Dust primarily gets on furniture by entering buildings from the outside and settling on surfaces.
Dust particles are incredibly small. According to a reference, dust is so small that it can enter through tiny gaps found in various parts of a house, such as:
- Air vents
- Gaps around closed doors
- Gaps around closed windows
Once these small dust particles enter the indoor environment, they can become suspended in the air. When the air indoors and outdoors is relatively still, especially when there isn't much human activity disturbing the air currents, these suspended particles lose momentum and are pulled down by gravity.
As highlighted in the reference, during periods of stagnant air, the dust from the outside falls on the furniture and the floor. This process of settling is a primary way dust accumulates on horizontal surfaces like tabletops, shelves, and other furniture pieces.
Why Does Dust Settle?
Several factors contribute to dust settling on furniture:
- Gravity: Dust particles have mass, and gravity constantly pulls them downwards.
- Air Stagnation: In calm air, there are fewer currents to keep dust suspended, allowing gravity to dominate and pull particles to surfaces.
- Particle Size: While some particles are too small to settle quickly, larger dust particles (though still small enough to enter gaps) settle more readily.
In essence, dust particles that originate from outside sources exploit small openings to enter a building and then simply fall out of the air onto furniture and other surfaces when the air is still.
