Why does paper towel absorb spills?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: Tiny fibers pull water up
Tiny fibers pull water up ✓ — Correct! Paper towel is made of cellulose fibers with tiny spaces between them. Capillary action—water's adhesion to fibers plus cohesion between water molecules—pulls liquid into these narrow gaps against gravity. It's the same force that helps plants draw water up their stems!
Paper acts like a sponge — Wrong. Paper towel does work like a sponge, but the specific mechanism is capillary action in narrow spaces between cellulose fibers.
Chemicals attract water — Wrong. Paper towels aren't chemically treated to attract water (though some are embossed for better absorption). Cellulose naturally absorbs water through capillary action.