Laboratory report n°2 :

Capillary action and surface tension

Done by : Yasmine El Amri, 1TA1

Objectives:
The objectives of these experiments are to determine surface tensions for
various liquids using different methods and compare the experimental
results with the theoretical values. The methods to be used are:
1. Capillary tubes
2. Parallel plates

A. Theoretical approach:
Surface tension and capillarity:
Surface tension is the constant of
proportionality between a force dF and a
long element.
Capillary action is expressed by the
equation Fcap = 2Ϭ∏R
In the equilibrium condition when the
capillary action and the weight force are in
equilibrium, the equation is as follows:
Fcap * cos (○) = weight which means
2∏Ϭrcos (○) = ρg∏R2h.
 Ϭ = ρgRh / 2cos (○).
In a tube, surface tension produces an
upward force around the periphery of the
tube.
The force acts vertically on the water so
that the total force F is:
F = ∏ * d * cos (○)

For equilibrium, this force is balanced by

the weight W of the water column which is
approximately: W = ∏d2ρght / 4
So in conclusion we get: Ht = 4Ϭcos (O) / ρgd

Similarly, for the capillary action between the

plates distance b, we obtain: Hp = 2Ϭcos (O) / ρgd.

B. Capillary tubes and Parallel plates :

Experimental procedure

The capillary apparatus is provided with three glass

capillary tubes having bores of 0.4 mm, 0.8 mm and 1.6
mm. Glass plates are provided,together with plastic
shim material. The thicknesses are as follows :

Color of the Natural Black Red Yellow

plastic shim

Thickness
(mm)
0.190 0.250 0.400 0.500

1- Capillary tubes :

Capillarity Apparatus

Liquid Glass capillary ht γ

tube with bore
(T=24°C)
diameter,d

d=1.6 mm Trial 1: 20±1 79±3.95

d=0.8 mm Trial 1:31± 1 61±1.96

d=0.4 mm Trial 1: 43±1 42±0.97

 1
*We notice that ht and 𝑑
increase proportionally, that
4γ
coefficient of proportionality is ρ𝑔

2- Parallel plates:

Liquid Glass parallel hp(mm) γ( 10

−3
N/m)
(T=24°C) plates distance
W apart (mm)

0.5 15 ± 2 37± 5
0.4 19± 2 38 ± 4
0.25 23 ± 2 28± 2.4
0.19 28± 2 26± 1.8

1
We notice that ht and 𝑑
increase proportionally, that coefficient
2γ
of proportionality is ρ𝑔

Conclusion:
The surface tension increases as the diameter of the tube increases.
2 ϬL = mg has given us that the surface tension and the thickness of
the wire can be neglected
The effect is only clearly shown if the gap is small and is usually
ignored for tubes with a height superior to about 5 mm