We couldn’t live without printers and photocopiers. But how do they work?
The bright light you see moving across the image in a photocopier charges the plain paper with electricity β a bit like when you rub a balloon and it makes your hair stick up. The charge is in the exact pattern of the words or pictures on your original.
Toner – thatβs a coloured plastic powder – gets stuck to the charged parts of the paper and then heated rollers melt the powder into place.Β Thatβs why the copies feel warm when they come out.Β Have a feel for yourself next time the paper comes out!
Fun Fact: You can now get 3D printers! These were used to make the film Paranorman!