Use of capillarity in pumping water

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SUMMARY

Capillarity can effectively raise water, but it requires input energy to pump water to greater heights. The same surface tension that facilitates capillary action also retains water within the tube, necessitating energy to extract it. In nature, plants utilize capillary action to transport water, relying on solar energy for this process. The discussion raises questions about the maximum height achievable through capillarity alone and explores the potential of using narrower tubes to enhance this effect.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of capillary action and surface tension
  • Basic knowledge of energy transfer in natural systems
  • Familiarity with the principles of plant physiology
  • Awareness of automatic plant watering systems
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the physics of capillary action in various fluid dynamics contexts
  • Explore the design and efficiency of automatic plant watering systems
  • Investigate the limitations of capillarity in fluid transport
  • Examine the role of solar energy in natural water transport mechanisms
USEFUL FOR

Botanists, environmental scientists, engineers designing irrigation systems, and anyone interested in the mechanics of fluid transport in natural and artificial systems.

vinay ks
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capillarity has the power to raise water.. then can it be used to pump water to greater heights?
 
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Yes, but it takes input energy. The same surface tension which draws it up also keeps it strongly attracted to the tube at the top. Energy has to be used to get it out of the tube.

In plants, capillary action pumps water and the input energy is the sun (evaporation, etc).
 
yeah right! but what is the maximum limit upto which u can raise water just using capillarity and without the aid of external energy?? isn't it possible by making a tube of very small diameter??
 
There are automatic plant wetting systems that use capillary effects, they do move water up to some extent. Actually up to now I have never thought about the way they work from the energy point of view.
 

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