why do paperclips always get stuck together despite no intervention?
In: Physics
Small objects will move around a little bit whenever there is some energy nearby (heat, movement, friction, etc.) Over time, they are able to get tangled. Once they are tangled, it is easier for them to get more tangled than less. It requires more energy for them to get untangled. You should notice that yourself when you try to untangle earphones… it’s harder than it seems like it should be.
So any group of small objects that can be found in a tangled or untangled state, if left alone, eventually will be more likely to be found in a tangled state.
This also applies to wires, cords, earphones, and such.
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