Capillarity:
Capillarity is defined as the phenomenon of ascent or descent of a liquid or elevation or depression of a liquid inside a capillary tube from the level of liquid outside the tube, when the tube is vertically and partially dipped inside the liquid.
Let us consider, a capillary glass tube is dipped in a liquid,
- in case of the liquid which wets the glass (as is case of water, alcohol, etc), the meniscus is concave upwards at the point of contact.
- in case of the liquid which does not wet the glass (as is case of mercury), the meniscus is concave downwards at the point of contact.
Capillary Curve:
The nature of the curves shown in the adjoining figures, in the contact of the liquid with the capillary tube is known as the capillary curve.
