Why Do Computer Screens Have That Wierd Effect When You Touch Them?
This is due to the liquid crystals on your monitor being pushed around, and not letting light in the proper way. Let me explain: In your monitor, there's a backlight which produces light. The light from the backlight then passes through things called "liquid crystals", which alter themselves when…
The Short Answer
This is due to the liquid crystals on your monitor being pushed around, and not letting light in the proper way. Let me explain: In your monitor, there's a backlight which produces light. The light from the backlight then passes through things called "liquid crystals", which alter themselves when an electric current is applied, and when combined with polarizing film, can allow specific amounts of light to pass through. There are 3 little packets, or cells, of liquid crystals per pixel. One for red, one for green, and one for blue. Depending on how much electricity is applied to each cell, you can control the intensity of each color. Now, when you push down on your monitor, you're jostling those liquid crystals around, which messes with the amount of light being allowed through. This produces the dark, sometimes rainbow-colored splotches. Luckily, this shouldn't cause any permanent damage to the screen if you do it lightly.
Analysis
Key Concepts: Light, liquid, crystals
This explanation focuses on light, liquid, crystals and spans 154 words across 9 sentences. At 105% above the average Technology explanation (75 words), this is one of the more thorough answers in this category, reflecting the complexity of the underlying question.
What This Answer Covers
The explanation opens with: “This is due to the liquid crystals on your monitor being pushed around, and not letting light in the proper way.” It then elaboratesultimately building toward a complete picture across 9 connected points.
How This Compares in Technology
Ranked #27 of 500 Technology questions by answer depth (top 6%). This places it in the comprehensive tier — the top quarter of most thoroughly answered questions. Questions at this depth typically involve multi-faceted topics requiring nuanced explanation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a simple explanation for why computer screens have that wierd effect when you touch them?
This is due to the liquid crystals on your monitor being pushed around, and not letting light in the proper way. Let me explain: In your monitor, there's a backlight which produces light. The light from the backlight then passes through things…
How detailed is this explanation compared to similar Technology questions?
This is one of the most thorough answer at 154 words, ranked #27 of 500 Technology questions by depth. The key concepts covered are light, liquid, crystals.
What approach does this answer take to explain computer screens have that wierd effect when you touch them?
The explanation uses root cause analysis across 154 words. It is categorized under Technology and addresses the question through 1 analytical lens.