UPSC Exam  >  UPSC Questions  >  What causes water to rise in a capillary tube... Start Learning for Free
What causes water to rise in a capillary tube when it is dipped in water?
  • a)
    Cohesion between water molecules
  • b)
    Adhesion between water and glass
  • c)
    Elasticity of the capillary tube
  • d)
    Surface tension of the water
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
What causes water to rise in a capillary tube when it is dipped in wat...
Water rises in a capillary tube when it is dipped in water due to adhesion between water molecules and the glass of the tube. Adhesion is the attractive force between unlike molecules, and in this case, water molecules are more attracted to the glass than to each other. This phenomenon is known as capillarity, and it allows liquids like water to be drawn into narrow tubes or porous materials.
Free Test
Community Answer
What causes water to rise in a capillary tube when it is dipped in wat...
Adhesion between water and glass
Adhesion is the force of attraction between molecules of different substances. In the case of a capillary tube dipped in water, the water molecules are attracted to the glass molecules of the tube due to adhesion. This adhesion causes the water to climb up the sides of the tube.

Capillary action
Capillary action is the ability of a liquid to flow in narrow spaces without the assistance of external forces like gravity. In a capillary tube, the water molecules are more strongly attracted to the glass molecules than to each other (adhesion is stronger than cohesion). This causes the water to rise in the tube against the force of gravity.

Surface tension
Surface tension also plays a role in the rise of water in a capillary tube. The surface tension of water causes the water molecules to be pulled upward along the sides of the tube, forming a concave meniscus at the top.

Intermolecular forces
The intermolecular forces between the water and glass molecules are responsible for the capillary action observed in the tube. The combination of adhesion, cohesion, and surface tension allows the water to rise in the tube, creating a curved meniscus.
In conclusion, the rise of water in a capillary tube when dipped in water is primarily due to the adhesive forces between the water and glass molecules. This phenomenon is known as capillary action and is driven by a combination of adhesion, cohesion, and surface tension.
Explore Courses for UPSC exam

Top Courses for UPSC

What causes water to rise in a capillary tube when it is dipped in water?a)Cohesion between water moleculesb)Adhesion between water and glassc)Elasticity of the capillary tubed)Surface tension of the waterCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
What causes water to rise in a capillary tube when it is dipped in water?a)Cohesion between water moleculesb)Adhesion between water and glassc)Elasticity of the capillary tubed)Surface tension of the waterCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2024 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about What causes water to rise in a capillary tube when it is dipped in water?a)Cohesion between water moleculesb)Adhesion between water and glassc)Elasticity of the capillary tubed)Surface tension of the waterCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for What causes water to rise in a capillary tube when it is dipped in water?a)Cohesion between water moleculesb)Adhesion between water and glassc)Elasticity of the capillary tubed)Surface tension of the waterCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for What causes water to rise in a capillary tube when it is dipped in water?a)Cohesion between water moleculesb)Adhesion between water and glassc)Elasticity of the capillary tubed)Surface tension of the waterCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for UPSC. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for UPSC Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of What causes water to rise in a capillary tube when it is dipped in water?a)Cohesion between water moleculesb)Adhesion between water and glassc)Elasticity of the capillary tubed)Surface tension of the waterCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of What causes water to rise in a capillary tube when it is dipped in water?a)Cohesion between water moleculesb)Adhesion between water and glassc)Elasticity of the capillary tubed)Surface tension of the waterCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for What causes water to rise in a capillary tube when it is dipped in water?a)Cohesion between water moleculesb)Adhesion between water and glassc)Elasticity of the capillary tubed)Surface tension of the waterCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of What causes water to rise in a capillary tube when it is dipped in water?a)Cohesion between water moleculesb)Adhesion between water and glassc)Elasticity of the capillary tubed)Surface tension of the waterCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice What causes water to rise in a capillary tube when it is dipped in water?a)Cohesion between water moleculesb)Adhesion between water and glassc)Elasticity of the capillary tubed)Surface tension of the waterCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice UPSC tests.
Explore Courses for UPSC exam

Top Courses for UPSC

Explore Courses
Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev