_mick_s t1_iqqh4ux wrote on October 2, 2022 at 10:47 AM

Reply to comment by sfsolarboy in Why do strings and headphone cables spontaneously wrap around each other when placed in proximity? by sfsolarboy

What others are talking about is more tendency for strings to tangle, but I think you're talking about something different.

I think what happens is that wire is already twisted internally so it wants to untwist, but since there's another wire next to it that's also untwisting they twist around each other instead.

It might help if you make a photos of what you're describing.

breadandbits t1_irqh1yf wrote on October 10, 2022 at 7:10 AM

I think this is correct. It would be dangerous for this to occur with climbing ropes, so they are made with equal spirals in opposite directions so that stretching does not impart twist. It can be referred to as being torque balanced. Stranded electrical wire is generally twisted in the same direction, so every time you and/or gravity pulls on it, it twists. You’ll notice that your headphones always twist in the same direction.