Why does a ..................

[Crankarm]

............ an already damp (not soaking wet) dish cloth absorb water far better than a dry one? Thinking when wiping something up say errr ....... water or tea.

For the scientists amongst us your explanations will be much appreciated.

 

[vernon]

Microfibre towels display the effect more markedly.

 

[Keith Oates]

I'm not sure but from memory I think it's due to surface tension of the water. If the cloth is dry then the surface tension of the water will not allow the water to pass freely into the cloth but if the cloth is wet then there is no surface tension to overcome and the water passes freely.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Globalti]

Chamois leathers for drying cars are worst for this - when they're dry, water just runs off through surface tension but once they're wet they become very absorbent.

Cotton is so absorbent though that it gets wet straight away.

 

[jimboalee]

I'm not sure but from memory I think it's due to surface tension of the water. If the cloth is dry then the surface tension of the water will not allow the water to pass freely into the cloth but if the cloth is wet then there is no surface tension to overcome and the water passes freely.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yup.

 

[Over The Hill]

I'm not sure but from memory I think it's due to surface tension of the water. If the cloth is dry then the surface tension of the water will not allow the water to pass freely into the cloth but if the cloth is wet then there is no surface tension to overcome and the water passes freely.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is the rule for clearing things up.

If you spill something wet on your dry shirt; it soaks in immediately!

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Aw c'mon give us an answer - the (surface) tension is killing me.......