# Capillarity physics problem

1. Mar 29, 2006

### geniusprahar_21

I dont know if there is a special place for fluids. so i'll post it here.....

When a tube of small radius is placed in a liquid, the liquid rises or falls in the tube, due to adhesive and cohesive forces. also the height of the liquid in the tube is given by

$$h = \frac { 2 T cos\theta}{\rho g R}$$.

where T is surface tension, $$\theta$$ is the angle of contact, $$\rho$$ is the density of the liquid, R is the radius of the capillary tube..

However, if a tube a insufficient length is taken, i.e l <= h then something happens. i am not sure what......but i think, the liquid does NOT spill over, i.e the full height of the liquid is not reached..... is it because there is no more adhesive forces to pull ther liquid further up the tube?? in such a case, does the angle of contact remain the same??

is it true????
please explain why, too.
thank you.

Last edited: Mar 29, 2006
2. Mar 29, 2006

### Clausius2

Yeah, it's a pity there is no specific place here for fluids but there are places for strings, membranes and so on :yuck: , even you can check there are several posts about fluids dispersed in PF.

That is a steady solution. If let's say, once reached the dynamical equilibrium you cut the top of the tube such as you cut some portion of the meniscus, some amount of liquid will flow out the tub in order to satisfy the constraint of mechanical equilibrium and the angle of contact $$\theta$$. The height of the meniscus would be the same but with some less fluid inside the tube.

3. Mar 29, 2006

### geniusprahar_21

thnx, thts just what i needed....

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