Question

Describe the mechanism of capillary rise.

Answer 1

Capillary action is a property seen in some liquids. It is most pronounced in water because of water's unique properties and because water is the basis of most liquids that we see or use every day. When you use a paper towel to mop up a spilled drink or use a towel to dry yourself after a shower, you are using capillary action. When you put cut flowers in a vase of water, the capillary action keeps them fresh.

Capillary action is the movement of a liquid through or along the surface of another material in spite of other forces, such as gravity. For instance, put a narrow straw into a glass of water. What can you observe about the level of the water in the straw as compared to in the glass? You should see that the water has climbed up the straw and is higher than the level of water in the glass. It seems to have defied gravity by moving up the straw. This is capillary action.