Capillary rise in a small tube dipped in water: identify the cause A narrow glass tube is dipped into water and the water rises in the tube. State whether the rise is due to viscosity or another effect.

Concept/Approach

• Capillary rise is caused by surface tension and the adhesive attraction between liquid and tube material, balanced by weight of the column. Viscosity influences the rate of rise, not the final height.

Final AnswerDisagree — the rise occurs due to surface tension (capillarity), not viscosity.