How do paper towels absorb water?

You see, paper towels are made up of cellulose fibers, which also make up cotton, wood, and most other plants. These cellulose fibers are actually giant molecules that consist of many small molecules linked together. read more

The small molecules that combine to make up cellulose are sugar molecules; that’s the key to the absorbency of paper towels. Think how easily sugar dissolves in water. When you get a paper towel wet, the water molecules rush in and cling to the cellulose fibers. read more

Paper towels absorb water via capillary action. This principle originates from the observation that when a thin glass tube (a capillary) is inserted into a liquid, it draws up liquid (independent of air pressure) to a height inversely proportional to the radius of the tube. read more

A paper towel absorbs water due to capillary action that carries water droplets into the voids in its structure. When a paper towel comes in contact with water, the water moves along its fibers, spreading throughout the towel. read more