Teacher Professor

how does a capillary tube work?

my biology teacher asked us to define what how water moves up a capillary tube and i just cant understand what im reading when i google it. could someone give me an understandable explanation? also does capillary action have anything to do with this because i couldnt find a definition for that either?

Public Comments

1. It is where the molecules of the water actually stick to the tube walls. in wikipedia it describes it as : "It occurs when the adhesive intermolecular forces between the liquid and a substance are stronger than the cohesive intermolecular forces inside the liquid. The effect causes a concave meniscus to form where the substance is touching a vertical surface". ie the forces between the water molecules and the walls of the tube are greater than the forces between the water molecules so you get the water sucking onto the walls at the sides of the tube and climbing up it. You can also look up Transpiration which is also involved in water being taken up through a plant.