Everyday Science · 45 sec
Capillary action
The science behind something you encounter, use, or wonder about.
The useful idea
- The useful idea
Capillary action (sometimes called capillarity, capillary motion, capillary rise, capillary effect, or wicking) is the process of a liquid flowing in a narrow space without the assistance of external
- How it works
The effect can be seen in the drawing up of liquids between the hairs of a paint brush, in a thin tube such as a straw, in porous materials such as paper and plaster, in some non-porous materials such as
- Why it matters
clay and liquefied carbon fiber, or in biological cells.
Why this matters
Look for Capillary action the next time you notice this pattern in everyday life.
Try this
Look for Capillary action the next time you notice this pattern in everyday life.
Test your recall
Which idea belongs to the explanation of Capillary action?
- How it works
- The useful idea — correct
- Why it matters
Capillary action (sometimes called capillarity, capillary motion, capillary rise, capillary effect, or wicking) is the process of a liquid flowing in a narrow space without the assistance of external