High School

What happens when a capillary tube of shorter length is dipped in water? Will the liquid come out through the tube? Explain your answer.

Answer :

When a short capillary tube is dipped in water, capillary action makes the water rise inside the tube. If the capillary rise is less than the length of the tube, water will not come out of the tube. The rise depends on the tube's diameter, surface tension of the liquid, contact angle, and liquid density.

When a capillary tube of shorter length is dipped in water, a phenomenon known as capillary action occurs. This action causes the water to rise within the capillary tube against gravity, due to the adhesive forces between the water molecules and the solid surface of the tube. The height to which the water rises, often referred to as the capillary rise, depends on several factors including the surface tension of the water, the angle of contact between the water and the tube, the tube's inside radius, and the density of the liquid.

However, whether the liquid will come out through the shorter tube or not depends on how the height of capillary rise compares to the length of the tube. If the capillary rise is less than the length of the tube, the liquid will not overflow. If the capillary rise is equal to or greater than the length of the tube, the liquid could overflow and come out through the top of the tube.

In general, the smaller the diameter of the capillary tube, the higher the liquid will climb. But, considering that the tube in question is of shorter length, it is less likely for the water to flow out unless the tube is very narrow or the forces at play are exceptionally strong. Plant xylem and tear ducts in humans are natural examples of capillary action.