Glass Equilibrium Tubes with Plastic Base

Description

Normally the water in a series of tubes would all reach equilibrium with the same water level, due to the effect of air pressure on the columns. However, in this case the tubes are so small that the total force of the column of air above them is less than the force of capillary action pulling the water up. When the water has risen to the point where the force is equal to the force of air pressure forcing the water down, the water will stop rising. Since the force of capillary action is essentially constant for a particular liquid, the cross-sectional surface area of the tube is the determining factor for the height of the water.  

(1) Capillary Tube, (1) Plastic Base

This apparatus consists of a set of five interconnecting glass tubes of different diameters in order to demonstrate the phenomena of capillarity and surface tension. Comes with plastic stand.

Each capillary measures approximately 10.9cm in height. From left to right (Starting with the largest tube) the capillary diameters measure 18mm, 1mm, 1.5mm, 2.5mm, and 5mm.