Capillary Action
Capillary action is the ability of a liquid to flow in narrow spaces without external forces, like gravity. This occurs due to the interplay between cohesion (the attraction between liquid molecules) and adhesion (the attraction between liquid molecules and other substances). For instance, when you place a thin straw in water, the water rises inside the straw because it sticks to the straw's sides while also pulling more water upward. This phenomenon is essential in nature, such as how plants draw water from their roots to leaves through tiny tubes called capillaries.
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Capillary action is the ability of a liquid to flow in narrow spaces without the assistance of external forces, like gravity. This phenomenon occurs due to the combination of cohesive forces—attraction between similar molecules—and adhesive forces—attraction between different molecules. For example, when a thin straw is placed in water, the water rises inside due to these forces. Capillary action is crucial in various natural processes, such as water moving through soil to nourish plants, and it also has applications in technology, such as in ink pens and certain medical devices.