Why does paper become more easily tearable when it’s wet?

Question

Why does paper become more easily tearable when it’s wet?

In: 9

Answer 1

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.