How do impingement filters function?

Impingement filters operate based on the principle that larger particles do not follow the airstream closely due to their size, speed, and weight. When air containing these particles flows through the filter, the heavier particles struggle to keep up with the fast-moving airstream. As a result, they collide with the filter fibers and are captured. This mechanism effectively removes larger contaminants from the air by utilizing the dynamics of particle movement in relation to airflow.

In contrast, other methods or filters mentioned in the incorrect options do not describe the fundamental operation of impingement filters. For instance, using magnets to filter larger particles is not a characteristic of impingement filters, and static electricity solely capturing particles applies more to electrostatic or charged filters rather than impingement. Similarly, the idea of capturing particles by cooling the airflow does not relate to how impingement filters function, as these filters primarily rely on particle inertia rather than changes in temperature or static charge. Thus, the answer that describes the behavior of larger particles relative to the filters' fiber is the most accurate representation of how impingement filters work.