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  • Chemistry Optional Notes On – Capillary Action – For W.B.C.S. Examination.

    Capillary action can be defined as the ascension of liquids through slim tube, cylinder or permeable substance due to adhesive and cohesive forces interacting between the liquid and the surface.Continue Reading Chemistry Optional Notes On – Capillary Action – For W.B.C.S. Examination.

    When intermolecular bonding of a liquid itself is substantially inferior to a substances’ surface it is interacting, capillarity occurs

    Also, the diameter of the container as well as the gravitational forces will determine amount of liquid raised. While, water possesses this unique property, a liquid like mercury will not display the same attributes due to the fact that it has higher cohesive force than adhesive force.

     

    Forces in Capillary Action

    Three main variables that determine whether a liquid possesses capillary action are:

    • Cohesive force: It is the intermolecular bonding of a substance where its mutual attractiveness forces them to maintain a certain shape of the liquid.
    • Surface tension: This occurs as a result of like molecules, cohesive forces, banding together to form a somewhat impenetrable surface on the body of water. The surface tension is measured in Newton/meter.
    • Adhesive force: When forces of attraction between unlike molecules occur, it is called adhesive forces.

    Capillary action only occurs when the adhesive forces are stronger than the cohesive forces, which invariably becomes surface tension, in the liquid.

    A good way to remember the difference between adhesive and cohesive forces is that with adhesive forces you add another set of molecules, the molecules of the surface, for the liquid to bond with. With cohesive forces, the molecules of the liquid will only cooperate with their own kind. Decreased surface tension also increases capillary action. This is because decreased surface tension means that the intermolecular forces are decreased, thus decreasing cohesive forces. As a result, capillary action will be even greater.

    Applications

    Practical use of capillary action is evident in all forms of our daily lives. It makes performing our tasks efficiently and effectively. Some applications of this unique property include:

    • The fundamental properties are used to absorb water by using paper towels. The cohesive and adhesive properties draw the fluid into the paper towel. The liquid flows into the paper towel at a certain rate.
    • A technique called thin layer chromatography uses capillary action in which a layer of liquid is used to separate mixtures from substances.
    • Capillary action helps us naturally by pumping out tear fluid in the eye. This process cleanses the eye and clears all of the dust and particles that are around the ducts of the eye.
    • To generate energy: A possible use for capillary action is as a source of renewable energy. By allowing water to climb through capillaries, evaporate once it reaches the top, the condensate and drop back down to the bottom spinning a turbine on its way to create the energy, capillary action can make electricity! Although this idea is still in the works, it goes to show the potential that capillary action holds and how important it is.

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