Final answer:
Electrostatic effects are more pronounced in dry air because moisture reduces static electricity. Torn paper, with its irregular edges, picks up more charge and is more attractive to a statically charged comb.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phenomenon in question relates to electrostatic effects and how they are influenced by humidity levels. In a dry environment, friction between your hair and the comb causes electrons to transfer, resulting in static electricity. This can be observed when the comb attracts small pieces of paper, due to the static charge.
When you perform the same experiment in a moist environment, such as a bathroom after a shower, the water molecules in the air can become polarized and distribute the charge, which reduces the static effect. Subsequently, it is generally easier to get electrostatic effects in dry air. Torn paper may be more attractive to the comb than cut paper because it has more irregular edges that can allow for a greater number of charges to accumulate and interact with the charged comb.