Height of Magnitude of Capillary Rise Calculator

Capillary Rise Formula:

\[ h_c = \frac{\gamma}{\frac{1}{2} \times R \times \rho_{fluid} \times [g]} \]

Height of Capillary Rise/Fall (h_c):

Unit Converter ▲

Unit Converter ▼

From:	To:

1. What is the Height of Capillary Rise?

The Height of Capillary Rise/Fall refers to the level to which a liquid rises or falls in a narrow tube due to capillary action. This phenomenon is caused by the interplay between cohesive forces within the liquid and adhesive forces between the liquid and tube walls.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the capillary rise formula:

\[ h_c = \frac{\gamma}{\frac{1}{2} \times R \times \rho_{fluid} \times [g]} \]

Where:

\( h_c \) — Height of capillary rise/fall (m)
\( \gamma \) — Surface tension of fluid (N/m)
\( R \) — Radius of tubing (m)
\( \rho_{fluid} \) — Density of fluid (kg/m³)
\( [g] \) — Gravitational acceleration (9.80665 m/s²)

Explanation: The formula calculates the equilibrium height where surface tension forces balance gravitational forces acting on the liquid column.

3. Importance of Capillary Rise Calculation

Details: Understanding capillary rise is crucial in various fields including soil science, civil engineering, biomedical applications, and materials science. It helps predict liquid behavior in porous materials and small channels.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter surface tension in N/m, radius in meters, and density in kg/m³. All values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the height of capillary rise or fall in meters.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What factors affect capillary rise height?
A: The height is directly proportional to surface tension and inversely proportional to tube radius, fluid density, and gravitational acceleration.

Q2: Why does capillary rise occur?
A: Capillary rise occurs due to adhesive forces between the liquid and tube walls being stronger than cohesive forces within the liquid.

Q3: What is the maximum possible capillary rise?
A: There's no theoretical maximum, but practically, the height is limited by tube length and evaporation rates.

Q4: How does temperature affect capillary rise?
A: Temperature affects surface tension and density, therefore influencing capillary rise height.

Q5: Can this formula predict capillary fall?
A: Yes, the same formula applies to capillary depression (fall) when the liquid doesn't wet the tube material.