1. Apr 26, 2009 #1

   Anticitizen

   

   Why will water seep upward, against gravity, through a paper towel that has one end dipped in it? Is it some quirk of surface tension?

    

   Anticitizen, Apr 26, 2009
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3. Apr 26, 2009 #2

   mathman

   

   Science Advisor

   Gold Member

   I wouldn't call it a quirk. It is a very common phenomenom, most important for plants, where water goes from the roots to the rest of the plant, carrying nutrients.

    

   mathman, Apr 26, 2009
4. Apr 26, 2009 #3

   MATLABdude

   

   Science Advisor

   To dovetail in on Mathman's response, it's called capillary action, and it's been known since antiquity:
   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capillary_action

    

   MATLABdude, Apr 26, 2009
5. Apr 26, 2009 #4

   junglebeast

   

   Because of osmosis. Here's an explanation:
   
   http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/kinetic/diffus.html

    

   junglebeast, Apr 26, 2009

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