Why Does Water Rise in Empty Glass When Using a Paper Towel?

In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of water rising from a full glass to an empty glass through the use of a paper towel, due to the absorbent nature of the towel. The conversation also poses several questions regarding the structure of the paper towel and the mechanism behind the water rising and stopping at the same height in both glasses. The Wikipedia article on wetting may provide more insight into these questions.
  • #1
Oomph!
55
0
Hello.
I have a question.
I have two glasses - one is full, one is empty. And I will take a long paper towel to them - the first end to full glass and the second end to empty glass to same height.
A paper towel is absorbent. Water from full glass rises to empty glass. It will stop when the hight of watter will be in glasses same, yeah? However, can you tell me why? Why is paper towel absorbent? What is structure of paper towel's? Why wather rises to empty glass? How it to overcome gravity? And why it will stop when the height of water i in bother glass same?
Pls, explain me it, i really want to understant it.
 
Physics news on Phys.org

Related to Why Does Water Rise in Empty Glass When Using a Paper Towel?

1. How do paper towels absorb water?

Paper towels are made from a combination of pulp fibers and chemicals that increase absorbency. The pulp fibers create small spaces between them, allowing water to be trapped and held within the towel. The chemicals, such as sodium polyacrylate, are added to the pulp mixture to increase the towel's ability to hold and retain water.

2. How do paper towels compare to other materials in terms of absorption?

Paper towels are generally more absorbent than other materials, such as cloth or sponges. This is because of the small spaces between the pulp fibers and the added chemicals that increase absorbency. However, the absorbency of paper towels can vary depending on the brand and quality.

3. Can paper towels only absorb water?

No, paper towels can also absorb other liquids, such as oil or vinegar. This is because the pulp fibers and chemicals in the towel can also trap and hold these liquids.

4. How does the thickness of a paper towel affect its absorbency?

The thickness of a paper towel can impact its absorbency. Thicker paper towels generally have more pulp fibers, which means more spaces to trap and hold liquid. However, some brands may use thicker paper to create a perception of higher quality, so it is important to look at the absorbency ratings and not just the thickness.

5. How can I test the absorbency of a paper towel?

You can test the absorbency of a paper towel by using a standard amount of liquid and seeing how much the towel can absorb before becoming saturated. You can also compare the absorbency of different paper towels by performing the same test with each one and measuring the amount of liquid absorbed. Keep in mind that the type and amount of liquid used, as well as the quality of the towels, can affect the results.

Similar threads

Does wrapping a beer in a wet paper towel increase the rate of cooling
    • Classical Physics
Replies
28
Views
41K
How does water rise along a glass plate? (surface tension question)
    • Mechanics
Replies
2
Views
911
B Why does mercury rise in a glass capillary tube despite its strong cohesion?
    • Other Physics Topics
Replies
3
Views
2K
Vibrations in a glass with water.
    • Mechanics
Replies
5
Views
2K
Why doesn’t the water fall out of the Earth?
    • Earth Sciences
Replies
22
Views
30K
B Why Does a Cube Float When Dipped in Water?
    • Classical Physics
Replies
13
Views
1K
When does the plate of glass loosen from a glass cylinder in water?
    • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
5
Views
1K
Does Material Expansion Impact Accuracy in Thermal Expansion Experiments?
    • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
26
Views
3K
Impact of Atmospheric Pressure on the Water in a Tank and a Pipe
    • General Engineering
Replies
6
Views
4K
Answer Entropy: How Does Water Absorption by Paper Towels Work?
    • Thermodynamics
Replies
3
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top