When two materials have opposite electrical charges, one negative and one positive, they are attracted to each other. Can get this result by rubbing the two materials together such as a rubber balloon rubbed on a carpet - when the balloon is then held near your head, it will make your hair move towards the balloon (the two materials are now oppositely charged).

The accelerated deposition of particles onto a surface due to the presence of electric field created by excess electrical charge on a surface. Once bonded to a charged surface, it is very difficult to remove the contamination.

Attractive force between two oppositely charged ions.

The attraction between atoms of opposite charge that holds the atoms together in ionic bonds.

Filter collection mechanism in which particles are attracted to and retained on fibers using electrostatic forces. See also inertial impaction, interception, and diffusion.

Mutual attraction caused by static electricity, by which particles tend to draw together or adhere.