[mmetecaliskan]

it seems to be easy but i couldnt find the answer of this question.I hope one of you will help me to find the answer .
now my question is :

why  do ebonite attract pepper but not salt

[P]

This is just a guess based on logic  -  please correct me if I'm wrong.

Ebonite is a plastic right? An organic polymer!

In chemistry - 'like' dissolves 'like'   - also polymers get charged and attract.

Pepper  -  being organic  -  is attracted electrostatically to the organic polymer ebonite. Salt - being ionic - is not.

please correct me if I'm wrong.   

[Borek]

please correct me if I'm wrong.   

You are wrong. Feel corrected

[P]

please correct me if I'm wrong.   

You are wrong. Feel corrected

oh well -  said it was just a guess.

   boo hoo....     -  ok - I've tried feeling corrected - but I just feel wrong! 

What is the real reason then??

[Borek]

Well, I don't have to be sure about the real answer, to recognize wrong one

[P]

pretty sure it should be something to do with electrostatic charge though!

[Mitch]

It is definitely an electrostatic effect.

[Maz]

Electrostatics is correct, but way too broad. 

But the problem is stated incorrectly.  "Raw" ebonite wouldn't attract pepper, it would have to be rubbed with a wool (or some other high-friction) cloth first. 

For instance, most plastic spoons would work just as well if rubbed correctly.

So, I think it's all but obvious now. 

Well, except for maybe why pepper gets an induced charge seperation easier then salt.    As in pepper requires a weaker external electric field to get the charge sep. then salt.

But I think you chemists should jump on that one in a hurry. 

[Mitch]

Yes, stereo-electronic effect.