CAPILLARY ACTION Meaning and
Definition
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Capillary action refers to the phenomenon of liquids, particularly water, moving against the force of gravity through narrow spaces or passages, such as thin tubes or porous materials, due to adhesive and cohesive forces. It is also known as capillarity or capillary rise.
In simpler terms, capillary action occurs when liquid defies gravity and rises up in narrow tubes or crevices. This behavior is primarily driven by two forces: adhesive and cohesive forces. Adhesive forces describe the attraction between the liquid molecules and the surface of the tube or material, whereas cohesive forces refer to the attraction between the liquid molecules themselves.
For example, when a narrow glass tube is inserted into a glass of water, the liquid rises within the tube due to capillary action. The adhesive forces cause water molecules to be attracted to the inner walls of the tube, causing them to climb against the force of gravity. This effect is more pronounced in thinner tubes or finer materials.
Capillary action plays a crucial role in many biological and physical processes. In plants, it helps in the upward movement of water from the roots to the leaves through xylem vessels. In the human body, it facilitates the movement of blood through tiny capillaries.
Understanding capillary action is essential in various scientific fields, including biology, physics, chemistry, and engineering. It has practical applications in numerous industries, such as inkjet printing, paper chromatography, water filtration, and more.
Common Misspellings for CAPILLARY ACTION
- xapillary action
- vapillary action
- fapillary action
- dapillary action
- czpillary action
- cspillary action
- cwpillary action
- cqpillary action
- caoillary action
- calillary action
- ca-illary action
- ca0illary action
- capullary action
- capjllary action
- capkllary action
- capollary action
- cap9llary action
- cap8llary action
- capiklary action
Etymology of CAPILLARY ACTION
The word "capillary" comes from the Latin word "capillaris", which means "of or pertaining to hair" (capillus means "hair" in Latin). This term was used to describe the hair-like appearance or thinness of the tubes or vessels involved in capillary action. The word "action" comes from the Latin word "actio", which means "doing" or "performance". Therefore, "capillary action" refers to the process or phenomenon of liquid being drawn up into narrow tubes or spaces against gravity, resembling the way hair absorbs or draws up liquid.
Similar spelling words for CAPILLARY ACTION
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