Why does water travel up in fabric/paper?

Thread starter Stickybees
Start date Jan 1, 2012
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Travel Water

In summary, water travels up in fabric and paper due to capillary action, which is caused by adhesive and cohesive forces between water molecules and the molecules of the material. The type of fabric and paper can affect the rate of capillary action, as fabrics and papers with smaller gaps or pores have a higher rate. However, there is a limit to how high water can travel up, determined by the balance of forces. Other liquids can also exhibit capillary action, depending on their surface tension and adhesive and cohesive forces. The structure of the fabric or paper also plays a role, as a more porous and interconnected structure allows for faster capillary action.

Jan 1, 2012

Stickybees

Why when water is absorbed by something does it travel? I think it may be due to finding a lower energy from surface tension but I don't have any intuition of it.

Thanks!

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Jan 1, 2012

mathman

Science Advisor

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capillary_action

see above.

Related to Why does water travel up in fabric/paper?

1. Why does water travel up in fabric/paper?

Water travels up in fabric and paper due to a phenomenon called capillary action. This is the ability of a liquid, in this case water, to move through small spaces, such as the gaps between fabric fibers or the tiny pores in paper. Capillary action is caused by the adhesive and cohesive forces between water molecules and the molecules of the material. These forces allow water to "climb" up against the force of gravity.

2. Does the type of fabric/paper affect the water's ability to travel up?

Yes, the type of fabric and paper can affect the rate at which water travels up. Fabrics and papers with smaller gaps between fibers or pores will have a higher rate of capillary action. For example, a tightly woven fabric will have a higher capillary action than a loosely woven one. Similarly, paper with smaller pores will have a higher rate of capillary action compared to paper with larger pores.

3. Is there a limit to how high water can travel up in fabric/paper?

Yes, there is a limit to how high water can travel up in fabric and paper. This limit is determined by the balance between the adhesive and cohesive forces of water and the force of gravity pulling it down. Once these forces are balanced, the water will stop traveling up and reach a maximum height. This is also known as the capillary rise or capillary limit.

4. Can other liquids besides water travel up in fabric/paper?

Yes, other liquids can also exhibit capillary action and travel up in fabric and paper. The ability of a liquid to do so depends on its surface tension and the adhesive and cohesive forces between its molecules and the material. For example, alcohol and oil have lower surface tension than water and may not travel up as high in fabric or paper.

5. How does the structure of the fabric/paper affect water's ability to travel up?

The structure of the fabric or paper plays a crucial role in water's ability to travel up. Fabrics and papers with a more porous and interconnected structure will have a higher rate of capillary action compared to those with a less porous and interconnected structure. Additionally, the thickness and density of the material can also impact water's ability to travel up, as a thinner and less dense material will allow for faster capillary action.