A group of physicists have finally undertaken to resolve the mystery as to why earphones, and other ropey things, tangle reports DiscoverMaganize.com.
They put strings of different stiffness in a box and tumbled it.
Complex knots form within seconds with the stiffer strings less likely to get knotted.
They made computer simulations of the data obtained and learned that when jostled the strings formed coils with the loose end weaving through the strands like a grandma knitting a sweater.
The scientists say the knots were analyzed using mathematical knot theory.
Betcha didn’t even know there was such a thing as mathematical knot theory.
Tangled Earphones Science Studies