- #1
dEdt
- 288
- 2
I'm not too sure if this is the right board, but it seems the most apt, so here it goes:
Question 1: If a column of water rises due to capillary action, its centre of mass must rise too, so where does the energy come from?
Question 2: Regarding the origin of capillary action; most diagrams I have seen have the surface tension pointing tangential to the surface and upwards, hence driving the column of water up. But shouldn't the surface tension point inward and tangential? If feel like it should because, appealing to the balloon analogy, the surface of the water should try and keep itself closer together, if that makes sense.
Thanks a lot.
Question 1: If a column of water rises due to capillary action, its centre of mass must rise too, so where does the energy come from?
Question 2: Regarding the origin of capillary action; most diagrams I have seen have the surface tension pointing tangential to the surface and upwards, hence driving the column of water up. But shouldn't the surface tension point inward and tangential? If feel like it should because, appealing to the balloon analogy, the surface of the water should try and keep itself closer together, if that makes sense.
Thanks a lot.