When a thin glass tube is put into water, the water rises 1.4 cm. When the same tube is put into hexane, the hexane rises only 0.4 cm. Explain.

Key Concepts

Capillarity

Capillarity, or capillary action, is the ability of a liquid to flow in narrow spaces without the assistance of external forces. This phenomenon occurs due to the adhesive forces between the liquid and the solid surface of the tube, as well as the cohesive forces within the liquid itself. In this case, water exhibits strong adhesive forces with glass, leading to a higher rise compared to hexane.

Surface Tension

Surface tension is the property of a liquid that causes it to behave as if its surface is covered with a stretched elastic membrane. It arises from the cohesive forces between liquid molecules. Water has a high surface tension due to strong hydrogen bonding, which contributes to its ability to rise higher in the glass tube compared to hexane, which has weaker intermolecular forces.

Intermolecular Forces

Intermolecular forces are the forces of attraction or repulsion between neighboring particles (atoms, molecules, or ions). These forces significantly influence the physical properties of substances, including their boiling points, melting points, and capillary action. Water, with its strong hydrogen bonds, has greater intermolecular forces than hexane, resulting in a more pronounced capillary rise in the glass tube.