You know when you crumple paper, or you spill something on it and it sort of ripples from the evaporated liquid? Well, why does ironing straighten it out?
2006-10-19 00:26:39 · 2 answers · asked by Link 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
when you are dealing with crumpled polymer sheets, an iron can smoothen everything out because the heat loosens bonds.
the ironing motion as well as the weight of the iron itself then repositions the bonds uniformly and you have a nice smooth sheet of cotton/wool/paper.
materials like cotton and paper(cellulose polymer) require a little moisture for effective ironing because at the molecular level, water molecules are required for the loosening of bonds. this is why wet paper irons easily.
if the temperature is high enough you dont even need a weight to smoothen out your clothes. hot steam alone can do this. thats how dry cleaning works.
you should try washing and ironing your banknotes. its cool and looks like new after.
2006-10-19 02:07:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thats is what Irons do
2006-10-19 07:35:27 · answer #2 · answered by feature000 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋