Why does paper tear easily when wet?

Why does a piece of paper tear neatly along the line when it is folded hard and then torn but randomly otherwise?

  • A little bit of 'bonds getting weakened' might be at play. Looking for a detailed description

  • Answer:

    It follows path of least resistance. If you fold it repeatedly on same line, it gets further weakened to greater extent and tearing follows the same line with relatively less force.

Nandan Dalvi at Quora Visit the source

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Other answers

When you fold a piece of paper hard enough there is a permanent elongation along the line of fold. So now this region has a lesser yield point ( i.e. can take lesser amount of stress). It thus forms the line of least resistance and the paper is torn along that line.

Siddharth Mittra

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