Use of capillarity in pumping water

[vinay ks]

capillarity has the power to raise water.. then can it be used to pump water to greater heights?

 

[Dale]

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).

 

[vinay ks]

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??

 

[Borek]

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.

 

[PJC01]

Yes, capillarity can be used to pump water to greater heights. Capillarity is the phenomenon by which liquids can be drawn upwards against gravity in narrow tubes or spaces, such as in the small spaces between soil particles. This is due to the adhesive and cohesive forces between the liquid and the surface of the tube or space.

In a similar way, capillarity can be harnessed to create a pumping system. By placing a narrow tube or capillary next to a larger body of water, the adhesive and cohesive forces will cause the water to rise up the tube, creating a continuous flow. This flow can be directed to a higher location, effectively pumping the water to a greater height.

This technique has been used for centuries, particularly in agriculture, where capillarity is used to bring water from a lower source to a higher location for irrigation. It has also been used in engineering applications, such as in the construction of fountains, where capillarity is used to pump water upwards to create a continuous flow.

However, it is important to note that the height to which water can be pumped using capillarity is limited by the strength of the adhesive and cohesive forces and the diameter of the tube or space. Therefore, while capillarity can be a useful tool for pumping water to greater heights, it may not be suitable for all applications. Other pumping methods, such as mechanical pumps, may be more efficient and effective in certain situations.