High School

Why does the capillary rise increase when the diameter of the tube decreases?

Answer :

Final answer:

The capillary rise increases when the diameter of the tube decreases due to the increased capillary forces. This is because a smaller diameter leads to a greater curvature of the meniscus, resulting in higher capillary forces pulling the liquid up.

Explanation:

Capillary action or capillarity occurs when a liquid, such as water, is drawn up into a narrow tube or capillary against the force of gravity. According to the capillary action principle, the height to which a liquid rises in a capillary tube is inversely proportional to the diameter of the tube. This can be explained by considering the cohesive forces between the liquid molecules and the adhesive forces between the liquid molecules and the tube walls. When the diameter of the tube decreases, the capillary forces become more significant compared to gravity, resulting in a greater rise of the liquid. This is because when the tube diameter decreases, the curvature of the meniscus increases, leading to a higher capillary force pulling the liquid up.

Consequently, the capillary rise increases. For example, imagine two capillary tubes, one with a larger diameter and one with a smaller diameter. Due to the smaller diameter of the second tube, the curvature of the meniscus is greater, resulting in a higher capillary rise compared to the first tube.

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