Why does paper become more easily tearable when it’s wet?
In: 9
Because that’s how paper is made.
Paper is made from wood fibers. In order to do that, the wood is first pulped, either mechanically or chemically. In either case, a lot of water is used to create the pulp. The pulp is then spread out on a screen, which lets the water drain out. The remaining wood fibers then form an interlocking sheet. When you get paper wet, you are taking back to the pulp stage.
When paper is dry, the fibers that make up the paper are tightly bound together. When you add water to the paper, the water seeps in between the fibers and makes them swell. This swelling makes it easier to pull the fibers apart, which makes the paper tear more easily.
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