Capillary action of water in glass tubes. This shows water rising in a narrow glass tube, relative to a wider glass tube. For mercury sinking relative

---

Capillary action of water in glass tubes. This shows water rising in a narrow glass tube, relative to a wider glass tube. For mercury sinking relative to the outside level of mercury, see image A350/168. The relative rise or fall of a liquid in a narrow glass tube depends on whether the liquid is attracted or repelled by the glass. Water has a positive capillary rise and is drawn up a narrow glass tube. Mercury has a negative capillary rise and sinks down a narrow glass tube, relative to the outside level.

---

Size: 4936px × 3593px
Photo credit: © ANDREW LAMBERT PHOTOGRAPHY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: action, apparatus, capillary, classroom, demonstrating, demonstration, educational, equipment, experiment, glass, instrument, laboratory, physical, physics, positive, rising, school, science, scientific, tube, water