Final answer:
The removal of residue from surfaces by shoes involves principles of physics, like polarization and static electricity, and can include the physical displacement of material, such as soil, or cleaning processes aimed at reducing microbial loads.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phenomenon where a shoe removes or displaces residue from the surface it has walked on is related to several principles of physics, particularly the concept of polarization and static electricity. When a person walks on a rug, the rubbing between the shoes and the rug can cause an electrostatic charge to build up.
On dry days, the lack of moisture in the air prevents the charge from dissipating quickly, leading to a higher likelihood of experiencing an electrostatic shock when touching a metal object. Neil Armstrong's experience on the moon illustrates how shoes can interact with and alter a surface, in this case leaving footprints and treads in the lunar soil. This is a demonstration of the physical removal of surface material, although electrical charges are not at play in this scenario.
In cleaning applications, shoes and other objects can be designed to either remove residue for reuse, such as wiping optical components, or they can be part of a process that involves microbial load reduction through scrubbing and the use of chemicals, which is common in health practices.