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Yes...if you were to get a piece of wool and put it in hot water or cold water it would soak it up like a sponge! :)
Wool is very interesting in this respect it it BOTH hygroscopic AND hydrophilic. That means that it both absorbs water and it repels water. The water that is absorbed is in two different places, partly the water rests as droplets between the wool fibers and partly water is absorbed by the complex protein chains that comprise the fibers themselves. The protein chains are lipids and thus the "fat" ends of the lipids that are on the outside of the fiber repel water; while the ends in the interior of the fiber can make temporary bonds to (absorb) water. This internal water will evaporate when ambient conditions allow it.
You cannot use wool to "wick" water, the lipids prevent wicking and the capilary action that transports liquids in for example celulose (linnen, cotton, hemp, etc.)
This is the reason wool is such a great material to have next to the skin (it has been developed for close to skin use for tens of millions of years!) You can remain warm in a wet wool sweater, you can sweat in hot climate and still feel cool (relatively) if you wear wool - the peoples of Northern Africa, the Middle East and Asia have used fine wool like this for thousands of years.
Jedediah Rutherford
Wiki User
∙ 7y agoYes...if you were to get a piece of wool and put it in hot water or cold water it would soak it up like a sponge! :)
Wool is very interesting in this respect it it BOTH hygroscopic AND hydrophilic. That means that it both absorbs water and it repels water. The water that is absorbed is in two different places, partly the water rests as droplets between the wool fibers and partly water is absorbed by the complex protein chains that comprise the fibers themselves. The protein chains are lipids and thus the "fat" ends of the lipids that are on the outside of the fiber repel water; while the ends in the interior of the fiber can make temporary bonds to (absorb) water. This internal water will evaporate when ambient conditions allow it.
You cannot use wool to "wick" water, the lipids prevent wicking and the capilary action that transports liquids in for example celulose (linnen, cotton, hemp, etc.)
This is the reason wool is such a great material to have next to the skin (it has been developed for close to skin use for tens of millions of years!) You can remain warm in a wet wool sweater, you can sweat in hot climate and still feel cool (relatively) if you wear wool - the peoples of Northern Africa, the Middle East and Asia have used fine wool like this for thousands of years.
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What is absorbancy paper?
Big hank
What are the colors of highest absorbancy?
This color is black.
What is the actual absorbancy if 2mL of a culture is diluted by adding 4mL of water and the absorbancy reading of the diluted culture is 0.059?
If you multiple your absorbance by the dilution factor, this should give you the absorbance of the original culture.
What are two properties or characteristics of cotton fibers?
great absorbancy and good conductor of heat
How does absorbancy work?
The fluid just settles in the pores (air pockets/holes)of the material.
What are 4 properties of cotton?
Good absorbancy, color retention, good strength, drapes well
How are paper towels made?
Paper towels are made by combining trees, cotton, and absorbancy paper.
Does weight affect soil absorbancy?
Weight does not affect soil absorbency.
What are the uses of terrycot cloth?
Terry cloth is typically used where absorbancy is required, like in towels and bath robes.
What animal gets wool?
Dogs do not have wool. No types of dogs have wool.
Whar products are made from wool?
wool coats wool socks wool pants
What do wool-weavers do?
A wool weaver are people who wool.
