Where does this come from, and can I check it?

Human body conductivity alters the electrostatic field on a glass-coated sensor array. The figure is taken from IEEE Computer Society, which is linked in full on this page. Every fact on Mondo Knows names its source rather than repeating an unsourced claim.

Is this really a technology fact?

Yes. It sits on the Technology shelf, one of 1,090 sourced facts grouped into space, animals, the human body, history, science and more. Category pages collect every fact in the same field.

What else can I read about it?

The links under the fact point to a quiz, game, puzzle or calculator on the same subject, and the shelf below shows related facts. The wording here is original, and quoted phrases are marked as quotations.

Mondo Knows Facts

Capacitive touchscreens detect touch using electrostatic charge

Human body conductivity alters the electrostatic field on a glass-coated sensor array

Unlike resistive touchscreens that rely on physical pressure pushing layers together, capacitive screens use a grid of transparent indium tin oxide conductors. Touching the glass surface draws a minute electrical charge to the contact point, altering the electrostatic capacitance. Integrated sensor controllers calculate the exact multi-touch coordinate positions.

Where this comes from

IEEE Computer Society

Facts that can change over time are reviewed and updated. If something here looks wrong, Mondo would rather know than be confidently incorrect.

Go further

Technology trivia Reaction Time Test

More facts like this

LCD displays control light passage using liquid crystals and polarizing filtersVoltage applied to liquid crystals rotates light polarization to create pixels Ionisation smoke detectors contain a microscopic trace of americiumRadioactive americium ionises air inside sensing chambers to detect smoke particles Under-road induction loops trigger green traffic lights for vehiclesEmbedded wire coils detect metal car bodies to operate automatic traffic signals 3D printing was patented by Chuck Hull in 1984 using stereolithographyUltraviolet lasers solidifying liquid photopolymer resin layer by layer created 3D objects RFID tags communicate asset data wirelessly using electromagnetic fieldsPassive RFID tags derive electrical power from the reader's radio signal to broadcast data The pneumatic inflatable tyre was patented by John Boyd Dunlop in 1888Air-filled rubber tubes cushioned road impact to transform bicycle and car transportation

Tags: touchscreen, display, sensors

Capacitive touchscreens detect touch using electrostatic charge: the short answers

Where does this come from, and can I check it?: Human body conductivity alters the electrostatic field on a glass-coated sensor array. The figure is taken from IEEE Computer Society, which is linked in full on this page. Every fact on Mondo Knows names its source rather than repeating an unsourced claim.
Is this really a technology fact?: Yes. It sits on the Technology shelf, one of 1,090 sourced facts grouped into space, animals, the human body, history, science and more. Category pages collect every fact in the same field.
What else can I read about it?: The links under the fact point to a quiz, game, puzzle or calculator on the same subject, and the shelf below shows related facts. The wording here is original, and quoted phrases are marked as quotations.