Where do soot residues tend to gravitate or migrate to?

Soot residues are formed when organic materials are incompletely combusted, and their behavior is influenced by temperature. These particulates tend to gravitate towards surfaces based on their temperature, with cooler surfaces attracting more soot. This phenomenon occurs because cooler surfaces have a tendency to condense the soot particles that are suspended in the air. As the air cools, these particles lose energy and settle on the nearest surfaces, which are often cooler than the surrounding heated areas.

Hot surfaces, in contrast, tend to repel soot because the increased temperature keeps soot particles in suspension longer, preventing them from settling. Warm surfaces, while still conducive for soot deposition, are not as efficient as cooler surfaces. Even distribution of soot is unlikely as particles naturally settle towards places where the temperature allows for their condensation. Thus, soot residues are primarily found on cooled surfaces, making this the most accurate choice in understanding soot migration in fire and smoke scenarios.