The dictionary defines paper as "a material manufactured in thin sheets from the pulp of wood or other fibrous substances".
True paper is made from cellulose material that has been soaked in water and beaten until each individual fibre is separated. This mixture of fibre and water (called paper pulp) is then strained through a sieve-like screen, leaving a thin layer of matted fibre on the screen's surface. This thin layer of intertwined fibre is paper.
This photograph shows the fibres that make up a piece of paper towel.
Paper pulp is strained through a screen to make paper. The resulting sheet
must then be removed from the screen and the excess water removed.
Interesting Science Fact
The intertwining of the fibres alone is not enough to give paper its strength. Weak electrostatic forces form between the fibres; these are called van der Waals forces. The longer the fibres, the greater the surface area, the stronger the van der Waals forces - and strong van der Waals forces create stronger paper.
What did people use before paper was invented? Find out!
