The hydrogen bonds connecting the cellulose fibers are broken
illustration of messy paper documents (unsplash.com/andrewilliam)
When you accidentally spill water on paper, the paper will definitely tear more easily. This is a common occurrence, wet paper tears more easily than when it is dry.
Problems will arise if the wet paper is an important document for us. Surely you will be angry because of this. I want to try drying it with a tissue or rag, but I’m afraid the paper will tear. Just leave it like that, afraid that our documents will be destroyed and unreadable. It’s all confusing.
However, after you saw this incident, did it ever occur to you why paper that has been in contact with water tears more easily when it is wet. Paper becomes more brittle compared to when it is dry. So, why does this happen?
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Paper tears easily when wet
illustration of paper documents (pexels.com/pixabay)
According to Charlotte Scott Parker a specialist and developer at the James Cropper Paper Mill in England explained that basically paper is just cellulose fibers – natural polymer molecules from wood that are combined with each other to make sheets. In one sheet of paper are connected to each other through small irregularities.
Reported Wonderopolis, most cellulose (wood) fibers become stiff and will be held together by strong hydrogen bonds between cellulose fibers. However, when the paper is wet, the strong hydrogen bonds between the cellulose fibers break down and the fibers separate more easily. This is because water consists of hydrogen and oxygen. As a result, the molecules form hydrogen bonds with the hydroxyl groups (hydrogen and oxygen) in the cellulose fibers.
When the hydrogen bonds that connect cellulose fibers break and weaken, the younger fibers separate. Therefore, the paper will tear more easily. Even thick stacks of paper tear easily when wet.
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You can also see the effect on water when you leave a piece of paper in your trouser pocket. When you put the pants in the washing machine, the paper will definitely be destroyed when you take them out.
Also Read: 5 Recommendations for Deli Brand Paper Shredder Machines on the Marketplace
2023-10-02 09:08:00
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