Chapter 29, Problem 11A

Summary Introduction

To write:

About the sticky nature of gecko’s foot.

Introduction:

Geckos could adhere to surfaces because hundreds of small, microscopic hairs called setae cover their bulbous toes. Each seta divides into hundreds of even smaller spatulae bristles. Scientists have already established that the tufts of tiny hairs are so tight to the contours in walls and ceilings that the van der Waals is forcing them to kick of. This kind of physical bond occurs when electrons from the gecko hair molecules and wall molecules interact and create an electromagnetic attraction.

Explanation of Solution

Scientists had done thousands of attempts to magnify the gecko's foot and figure out the ability to defying gravity. Gecko feet are coated with ridges made up of millions of hairs known as setae. Each hair divides up into hundreds of tiny ends of hair. Scientists say special forces are used by the branching hairs to attract the hair to the surface. The attraction, owing mainly to the van der Waals energy, is so strong that the gecko can hang from a ceiling by one foot. The hair on the gecko toe consists of the keratin protein, the same substance that helps to make up human hair. Gecko feet aren't attracting dirt. Their feet are "self-cleaning," because more than the tiny hairs on the gecko’s feet, dirt particles are attracted to surfaces. It leaves behind any dirt gathered on its feet as it walks, keeping the feet as "sticky" as ever. Scientists have designed powerful tape by studying gecko feet that sticks and releases easily, and an adhesive that replicates the self-cleaning capability of the setae.

Conclusion

Scientists have made many things such as keratin, powerful tape by using the way of sticky foot of gecko’s.