Question

A given liquid rises to a height h in a given capillary tube. If this capillary tube is cut to have a length l that is less than h, the liquid

(1) will start over flowing through the capillary tube.

(2) will have a readjusted value of its surface tension for which the rise is equal to l .

(3) will readjust its angle of contact, with the walls of the container, to a new value, say θ' , where θ' = cos^-1 \(\left[\frac{rlpg}{2T} \right]\).

(4) will readjust its angle of contact, with the walls of the container, to a new value, say θ", where θ" cos^-1 \(\left[\frac{2T}{rlpg} \right]\).

Answer 1

(3) will readjust its angle of contact, with the walls of the container, to a new value, say θ' , where θ' = cos^-1 \(\left[\frac{rlpg}{2T} \right]\).

The liquid will not overflow as that would lead to a violation of the principle of conservation of energy. For the rise (h) of a liquid, in a capillary tube of radius, r, we have the relation

For a capillary tube, of insufficient height, the liquid, readjusts its angle of contact with the walls of the container, so that