Which process is demonstrated by the movement of liquid into a narrow capillary tube?

Which process is demonstrated by the movement of liquid into a narrow capillary tube?

• A. Capillary action
• B. Osmosis
• C. Diffusion
• D. Filtration

Answer: (A)

Capillary action is the movement of liquid in a narrow tube or porous space caused by the adhesive attraction between the liquid and the tube wall combined with the cohesive forces within the liquid. In a capillary tube, the liquid wets the walls and climbs upward as the adhesive forces pull it along the surface, with the cohesive forces helping to transmit the rise through the liquid. This explains why liquid moves into a narrow capillary tube even against gravity. Osmosis involves water crossing a semipermeable membrane due to solute differences, not a narrow tube phenomenon. Diffusion is the spread of particles from high to low concentration, not specifically tied to capillary tubes. Filtration is movement through a barrier driven by pressure differences. Therefore, the movement into the narrow capillary tube demonstrates capillary action.

Capillary action is the movement of liquid in a narrow tube or porous space caused by the adhesive attraction between the liquid and the tube wall combined with the cohesive forces within the liquid. In a capillary tube, the liquid wets the walls and climbs upward as the adhesive forces pull it along the surface, with the cohesive forces helping to transmit the rise through the liquid. This explains why liquid moves into a narrow capillary tube even against gravity. Osmosis involves water crossing a semipermeable membrane due to solute differences, not a narrow tube phenomenon. Diffusion is the spread of particles from high to low concentration, not specifically tied to capillary tubes. Filtration is movement through a barrier driven by pressure differences. Therefore, the movement into the narrow capillary tube demonstrates capillary action.