Q45 / 200 · MHT CET - Medical 2026 (26 April Shift 1) · Biology
Water can easily rise in capillaries due to the following EXCEPT __________.
- Ahigh surface tension
- Correct answerBhigh specific heat
- Chigh adhesive force
- Dhigh cohesive force
Solution
Capillary action is the ability of a liquid to flow in narrow spaces without the assistance of external forces like gravity. It is a result of intermolecular forces.
The rise of water in a capillary tube is governed by the formula $h = \dfrac{2T \cos \theta}{r \rho g}$, where $T$ is the surface tension and $\theta$ is the angle of contact.
Surface tension arises due to high cohesive forces between water molecules. The angle of contact depends on the relative strength of adhesive forces (between water and the capillary wall) and cohesive forces.
High surface tension, high adhesive forces, and high cohesive forces all contribute to the capillary rise of water.
High specific heat is a thermal property that determines the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of water. It has no role in capillary action.
Answer: high specific heat
The rise of water in a capillary tube is governed by the formula $h = \dfrac{2T \cos \theta}{r \rho g}$, where $T$ is the surface tension and $\theta$ is the angle of contact.
Surface tension arises due to high cohesive forces between water molecules. The angle of contact depends on the relative strength of adhesive forces (between water and the capillary wall) and cohesive forces.
High surface tension, high adhesive forces, and high cohesive forces all contribute to the capillary rise of water.
High specific heat is a thermal property that determines the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of water. It has no role in capillary action.
Answer: high specific heat
Hence, the correct answer is option: 'B'.