capillary action

capillary action

The action that causes a liquid to climb the walls of a container or to be drawn up into extremely tiny tubes or between close-fitting parts.

The force of adhesion between the liquid and the solid wall of the container is greater than the force of cohesion between the molecules of the liquid. The stronger force of adhesion causes the liquid to try to spread out and wet the walls.

Capillary action causes a piece of blotting paper to pick up a liquid, and the lack of capillary action causes a drop of water to form into a ball on a waxed surface.

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Industry/Domain: Aviation
Category: Aeronautics
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