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Water rises to a height of 16.3 cm in a capillary of height 18 cm above the water level. If the tube is cut at a height of 12 cm:

A. Water will come out as a fountain from the capillary tube.
B. Water will stay at a height of 12 cm in the capillary tube, but the radius of curvature at the top will increase.
C. Water will stay at a height of 12 cm in the capillary tube, but the radius of curvature at the top will decrease.
D. Water will flow down the side of the capillary tube.

Answer :

Final answer:

Cutting the capillary tube to a height of 12 cm, below its initial water rise level, will result in the water staying at the new height with a decreased radius of curvature at the top, due to the balance between gravitational and capillary forces. The correct option is C. water will stay at a height of 12 cm in capillary tube but radius of curvature at the top will decrease.

Explanation:

When discussing the phenomenon of water rising in a capillary tube due to capillary action, it's essential to understand that it owes its mechanics to the surface tension of water and the adhesion between the water molecules and the glass wall of the tube. When a tube is cut to a height below where the water has risen, several outcomes could logically be expected based on our understanding of physics. However, in this case, if the tube is cut at a height of 12 cm, which is below the level to which water has initially risen (16.3 cm), the outcome is that the water will stay at a height of 12 cm in the capillary tube but the radius of curvature at the top will decrease.

This effect occurs because the curvature of the water's surface is a result of the balance between gravitational forces pulling the water down and the capillary forces pulling the water up along the tube. When the tube is shortened, the water no longer needs to counterbalance the force of gravity beyond the new height (12 cm), but due to the cohesive and adhesive forces, the water will attempt to maintain a minimal surface area, leading to a decreased radius of curvature at the surface. This demonstrates a fascinating aspect of fluid mechanics and capillary action within the realm of physics.

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