Question

What is the shape of the meniscus observed when water and mercury are taken in two different capillary tubes and why?

Answer 1

When water$\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\right)$ and mercury$\left(\mathrm{Hg}\right)$ are taken in two different capillary tubes then mercury will show a convex meniscus as it has higher cohesive forces than the adhesive forces with glass.

On the other hand, water shows a concave meniscus as the adhesive forces between water and glass are higher than the cohesive forces between water molecules.