This Is Why Paper Turns Yellow Over Time - I'm A Useless Info Junkie

Home » Why Does Newspaper Turn Yellow » This Is Why Paper Turns Yellow Over Time - I'm A Useless Info Junkie

Maybe your like

I'm A Useless Info Junkie
  • Latest
  • Popular
  • Hot
  • Trending
Menu
Subscribe

Email address:

Leave this field empty if you're human:

Don't worry, we don't spam

Follow us
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • youtube
Search Search for: Search I'm A Useless Info Junkie
  • Latest
  • Popular
  • Hot
  • Trending
Menu Subscribe

Email address:

Leave this field empty if you're human:

Don't worry, we don't spam

Follow us
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • youtube
Search Search for: Search

Latest stories

Previous Next

You are here:

  1. Home
  2. Good To Know
  3. This Is Why Paper Turns Yellow Over Time

How many times did you cut a clipping out of a newspaper to put it in your scrapbook only to find out years later that the paper has badly deteriorated and is almost impossible to read it? More than a few, right?

But have you ever wondered why? What causes paper to yellow over time?

Well, wonder no more you useless info junkies, because we have the answer. Here’s how it goes. (the article continues after the ad)

As we know, paper is made from wood. What you don’t know is that wood contains a polymer called lignin that binds the wood fibers together and it’s the one that turns paper yellow and brown. This is because the lignin molecules become less stable the more they are exposed to oxygen – they absorb more light and that’s why they have darker color. But why newspaper paper gets yellow way faster than white paper?

Photo: Wikimedia

Normal, white paper goes through a chemical solvent process that dissolves lignin – and this is the reason why it will remain white and (normally) resist yellowing. But that’s not the case when it comes to the paper used for newspaper.

Since newspapers are only made to last for just a few days, newspaper production companies don’t really care about the quality of their paper. Their only concern is to get the cheapest one. That usually means unprocessed paper that has significantly higher percentage of lignin than white paper.

That being said, due to the fact that lignin makes paper stronger, we sometimes actually want it in paper. Take cardboard or brown grocery bags for example – we want them to be strong and study so we keep as much lignin as possible.

So now you know!

If you like what you read, then you will definitely love this one: This Is Why Jet Engines Have Spiral Shapes Painted On Them

Photo: Wikimedia Photoshop: I’m A Useless Info Junkie Sources: Ask a Science Teacher: 250 Answers to Questions You’ve Always Had About How Everyday Stuff Really Works | Why do newspapers turn yellow over time?

Next post

The best stories served daily at your email!

Email address:

Leave this field empty if you’re human:

Don’t worry, we don’t spam

Copyright © I'm A Useless Info Junkie.

Back to Top
  • Ever Wonder Why?
  • Myth or Fact?
  • What’s The Difference?
  • Time Killer Quizzes
  • Become an Official Junkie
  • Latest
  • Popular
  • Hot
  • Trending
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • youtube
Search for: Search

Ad Blocker Detected!

Advertisements fund this website. Please disable your adblocking software or whitelist our website.Thank You! Refresh Our website uses cookies to improve your browsing experience. By continuing to navigate the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Learn more in our Cookies Policy AcceptPrivacy & Cookies Policy Close

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Necessary Necessary Always Enabled Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information. Non-necessary Non-necessary Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. SAVE & ACCEPT

Tag » Why Does Newspaper Turn Yellow