1

Problem on Surface tension and capillarity,

ME2303 Fluid Mechanics -1

Prob. 1 A 0.6-mm-diameter glass tube is

inserted into water at 20°C in a cup. Determine
the capillary rise of water in the tube (Fig. 1).
(Note: In atmospheric air, the contact angle of
water and most other organic liquids with glass is
nearly zero,   0°)
 2

Prob. 1 (Fig. 1)

Given: Diameter of the glass tube, D = 0.6 mm

Temperature of water, T = 20°C
The surface tension of water at 20°C,
 3

N
s = 0.073 (m) (Table 1).
kg
Density of liquid water,  = 1000 ( )
m3

The contact angle of water with glass,   0°

(Generally contact angle of water 0)

Required: Capillary rise of water, h = ?

 4

Fig. Forces acting on the system

(>0)
Assumptions
1 There are no impurities in the water and no
contamination on the surfaces of the glass tube.
 5

2 The experiment is conducted in atmospheric

air

Table 1 Surface tension of some common fluids in air at 1 atm

o
and 20 C

Fluid N
Surface tension 𝜎𝑠 ( )
m
Water
0 oC 0.076
20 oC 0.073
100 oC 0.059
300 oC 0.014
Glycerin 0.063
 6

SAE 30 oil 0.035

Mercury 0.440
Ethyle alcohol 0.023
Blood 30oC 0.058
Gasoline 0.022
Ammonia 0.021
Soap solution 0.025
Kerosene 0.028

Solution: Diameter of the glass tube,

D = 0.6 mm
Therefore, radius
 7

0.6 mm 2.54 cm 1m
R= × × = (0.3 × 10−3 )m
2 1 in 100 cm

Weight of water column acting vertically

downward,
W = m g = ( V) × g = ( g) × V
2
Or, W = ( g) × ( R h)
Vertical component of surface tension force
acting upward, Fsy = (2 R) s sin (90o - )
Or, Fsy = (2 R ) s cos
 8

Summation of vertical forces acting on the

system,  F = 0
y
+

Therefore, we can write, P + Fy – W – P = 0

2
Or, W = Fsy Or, ( g) × ( R h) = (2 R) s cos

Or, h = ( 2 R ) cos  2 cos 

s
= s

(  g )  ( R )
2
 gR
We know specific weight, γ =  g
 9

2 s cos 
Or, h=
R
N
(2 × 0.073) ( ) × cos 0o
m
Or, ℎ = N 0.3
(9.81 × 1000)( 3 ) × ( )m
m 1000
N N
(2 ×0.073)( ) × 1 0.146 ( ) × 1
m m
Or, h = N = N
2.943( 3 × m) 2.943( 2 × m)
m m ×m

N m2
Or, h = 0.04961 ( × )
m N
100 cm
Or, h = 0.04961 m × = 4.961 cm
1m
 10

So, the capillary rise, h = 4.961 cm Ans

(It is noticeable rise of water column)

 11

Prob. 2 A 0.03-in-diameter glass tube is inserted

into kerosene at 68°F (Fig. 2). The contact angle
of kerosene with a glass surface is 26°.
Determine the capillary rise of kerosene in the
tube.

Prob. 2 (fig. 2)
 12

Given: Diameter of the glass tube, D = 0.03 in

o
Temperature of kerosene, T = 68 F= 20°C
𝐶 𝐹−32
[ 𝑁𝑜𝑡𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡, = ]
5 9

The surface tension of kerosene at 20°C,

N
s = 0.028 ( ) (Table 3).
m
3
Density of kerosene at 20°C,  = 823 (kg/m )
Acceleration due to gravity, g = 9.81 (m/s2)
 13

The contact angle of water with glass,  = 26°

Required: Capillary rise of kerosene, h = ?

Assumptions
1 There are no impurities in the kerosene and no
contamination on the surfaces of the glass tube.
2 The experiment is conducted in atmospheric
air
 14

Forces acting on the system

Solution: Diameter of the glass tube, D = 0.03

inch
So, radius,
 15

0.03in 2.54 cm 1m
𝑅= × ×
2 1 in 100 cm
−4
= (3.81 × 10 ) m
Table 3 Surface tension of some common fluids in air at 1 atm
o
and 20 C

Fluid Surface
N
tension 𝜎𝑠 ( )
m
Water
0 oC 0.076
20 oC 0.073
100 oC 0.059
 16

300 oC 0.014
Glycerin 0.063
SAE 30 oil 0.035
Mercury 0.440
Ethyle alcohol 0.023
Blood 30oC 0.058
Gasoline 0.022
Ammonia 0.021
Soap solution 0.025
Kerosene 0.028

Weight of kerosene column acting vertically

downward,
 17

W = m g = ( V) × g = ( g) × V
2
Or, W = ( g) × ( R h)
Vertical component of surface tension force
acting upward,
Fsy = (2 R) s sin (90 - )
Or, Fsy = (2 R ) s cos
Summation of vertical forces acting on the
system,  F = 0
sy
+
 18

Therefore, we can write, P + Fsy – W – P = 0

Or, W = Fsy

2
Or, ( g) × ( R h) = (2 R) s cos

Or, h = ( 2 R ) cos  2 cos 

s
= s

(  g )  ( R )
2
 gR
We know specific weight, γ =  g
2 s cos 
Or, h=
R
 19

N
(2 × 0.028) ( ) × cos 26o
m
Or, ℎ = kg m
823 ( 3 ) × 9.81 ( 2 ) × (3.81×10−4 )m
m s

2 × 0.028 × 0.89879  N m 3 s 2 
Or, h= -4 
 × 2
823 × 9.81 × 3.81×10  m kg m 

  kg.m  
Or, 0.050332  N 1 s 2  s 2  
h=   ×  
3.05419  1 kg 1 1N 
 

1 s2 kg.m
Or, ℎ = 0.01648 [ × ×( )] = 0.01648 m
kg 1 s2
 20

100 cm 10 mm
Or, h = 0.01648 m × ×
1m 1 cm
100 cm 10 mm
Or, h = 0.01648 m × ×
1m 1 cm

Or, h = 16.48 mm  16.5 mm Ans

So, the capillary rise of kerosene, h = 16.5 mm (It

is noticeable rise of kerosene column)
 21

Prob. 3 A 1.9-mm-diameter tube is inserted into

an unknown liquid whose density is 960 (kg/m3)
and it is observed that the liquid rises 5 mm in the
tube, making a contact angle of 15°. Determine
the surface tension of the liquid.

Given: Diameter of the glass tube, D = 1.9 mm

Density of liquid,  = 960 (kg/m3)
Capillary rise of liquid, h = 5 mm
Acceleration due to gravity, g = 9.81 (m/s2)
 22

The contact angle of liquid with glass,  = 15°

Forces acting on the system

Required: The surface tension of liquid, s = ?

 23

Assumptions
1 There are no impurities in the liquid and no
contamination on the surfaces of the glass tube.
2 The experiment is conducted in atmospheric air

Table 1 Surface tension of some common fluids in air at 1 atm

o
and 20 C

Fluid Surface
N
tension 𝜎𝑠 ( )
m
Water
0 oC 0.076
20 oC 0.073
 24

100 oC 0.059
300 oC 0.014
Glycerin 0.063
SAE 30 oil 0.035
Mercury 0.440
Ethyle alcohol 0.023
Blood 30oC 0.058
Gasoline 0.022
Ammonia 0.021
Soap solution 0.025
Kerosene 0.028
 25

Solution: Diameter of the glass tube, D = 0.19

1.9 mm 1 cm 1m
mm Or, 𝑅 = × ×
2 10 mm 100 cm

Or, 𝑅 = (9.50 × 10−4 ) m

Weight of liquid column acting vertically
downward,
W = m g = ( V) × g = ( g) × V
2
Or, W = ( g) × ( R h)
Vertical component of surface tension force,
 26

Fsy = (2 R) s sin (90 - )

Or, Fsy = (2 R ) s cos
Summation of vertical forces acting on the
system,  F = 0
y
+

Therefore, we can write, P + Fsy – W – P = 0

Or, Fsy = W
2
Or, (2 R) s cos = ( g) × ( R h)
 27

( ) ( h )  gR h
 g   R 2

Or, s = =
( 2 R ) cos 2cos
 kg  m
960  3   9.81 2   9.50  10 m  5  10 m
−4 −3

Or, s =  m   s 
2  cos15o
Or, 960  9.819.50 10−4  5 10 −3  kg m 3  1N
s =  × 2 
2  0.96593  m s  1  kg.m 
3

 2 
 s 
0.04473  kg  1N  s 2   N
Or, s =  2    Or,  s = 0.02316  
1.93186  s  1  kg.m  m
N
So, surface tension, s = 0.02316 ( ) Ans
m
 28

Prob. 4 Nutrients dissolved in water are carried

to upper parts of plants by tiny tubes partly
because of the capillary effect (Fig. 3). Determine
how high the water solution will rise in a tree in a
0.005-mm-diameter tube as a result of the
capillary effect. Treat the solution as water at
20°C with a contact angle of 15°.

. Prob. 4 (Fig.3)
 29

Given: Diameter of the glass tube, D = 0.005

mm
Temperature of water, T = 20°C
The surface tension of water at 20°C, s =
0.073 N/m (Table 1).

Table 1 Surface tension of some common fluids in air at 1 atm

o
and 20 C
 30

Fluid Surface
N
tension 𝜎𝑠 ( )
m
Water
0 oC 0.076
20 oC 0.073
100 oC 0.059
300 oC 0.014
Glycerin 0.063
SAE 30 oil 0.035
Mercury 0.440
Ethyle alcohol 0.023
Blood 30oC 0.058
Gasoline 0.022
Ammonia 0.021 100
 31

Soap solution 0.025

Kerosene 0.028

Specific gravity of liquid water,

kN N
𝛾 = 𝜌𝑔 = 9.81 ( ) = (9.81 × 1000) ( )
m3 m3

Contact angle of water with glass,  =15°

Required: Capillary rise of water in the trees, h

=?
 32

Fig. Forces acting on the tiny

tube system

Solution: Diameter of the glass tube,

 33

D = 0.005 m
0.005mm 1 cm 1m
So, radius, 𝑅 = × ×
2 10 mm 100 cm

= (2.50 × 10−6 ) m
Weight of water column acting vertically
downward,
W = m g = ( V) × g = ( g) × V
2
Or, W = ( g) × ( R h)
 34

Vertical component of surface tension force,

Fsy = (2 R) s sin (90 -)
Or, Fsy = (2 R ) s cos
Summation of vertical forces acting on the
system,  F y
=0
+

Therefore, we can write, P + Fsy – W – P = 0

Or, W = Fsy
 35

2
Or, ( g) × ( R h) = (2 R) s cos

Or, h = ( 2 R ) cos  2 cos 

s
= s

(  g )  ( R )
2
 gR
2 s cos 
We know specific weight, γ =  g Or, h=
R
N
2×0.073 ( ) × cos 15o
m
Or, ℎ = N
(9.81 × 1000) ( 3 ) × (2.50×10−6 ) m
m

2 × 0.073 × 0.96593 N m2
Or, ℎ = ( × )
2.45 × 10−2 m N
 36

0.14103 N m2
Or, ℎ = ( × ) = 5.7503 m
2.45×10−2 m N

So, the capillary rise to the trees,

h = 5.7503 m Ans

(It is noticeable rise of water column)

 37

Prob. 5 A 0.9-in-diameter glass tube is inserted

into mercury, which makes a contact angle of
140o with glass. Determine the capillary drop of
mercury in the tube at 68°F.

Given: Diameter of the glass tube, D = 0.9 inch

Temperature of mercury, T = 68oF = 20°C
𝐶 𝐹−32
[ = ]
5 9
 38

The surface tension of mercury at 20°C, s =

0.440 (N/m) (Table 1).

Table 1 Surface tension of some common fluids in air

o
at 1 atm and 20 C

Fluid Surface
N
tension 𝜎𝑠 ( )
m
Water
0 oC 0.076
20 oC 0.073
100 oC 0.059
300 oC 0.014
 39

Glycerin 0.063
SAE 30 oil 0.035
Mercury 0.440
Ethyle alcohol 0.023
Blood 30oC 0.058
Gasoline 0.022
Ammonia 0.021
Soap solution 0.025
Kerosene 0.028
 40

Actual density of mercury at 20°C, from table 2, we have

Temperature Density
(oC) (kg/m3)
0 13595

20 ρ

25 13534

By interpolation (from table above),

25−20 13534−𝜌 5 13534−𝜌
Or, = Or, =
20−0 𝜌−13595 20 𝜌−13595
 41

1 13534−𝜌
Or, =
4 𝜌−13595

Or, 𝜌 − 13595 = 4 × (13534 − 𝜌)

Or, 5𝜌 = 4 × (13534) + 13595
Or, 5𝜌 = 4 × (13534) + 13595
Or, 5𝜌 = 54136 + 13595 = 67731
67,731 kg
Or, 5𝜌 = = 13546.2 ( ).
5 m3

o kg
Density at 20 C, ρ = 13546.2 ( )
m3
 42

So actual specific weight,

kg m
γ = ρ g = 13546.2 ( ) × 9.81 ( 2 )
m3 s
kg.m 1 1N
Or, γ = 132888.2 ( )×( )× kg.m
s2 m3 1( 2 )
s

N 1 kN
Or, γ = 132888.2 ( )×
m3 1000 N
kN
Or, γ = 132.89 ( ) this is actual value
m3
3
Or, γ = (132.89 × 1000) N/m
 43

γ =  g = 132.89 (kN/m3) (From Table)

Or, γ = (132.89 × 1000) (N/m3)

Table 2 Properties of Mercury

44
 45

Forces acting on the system

The contact angle of mercury with glass,  =

140°
 46

Required: Capillary drop of mercury, h = ?

Assumptions
1 There are no impurities in the mercury and no
contamination on the surfaces of the glass tube.
2 The experiment is conducted in atmospheric air

Solution: Diameter of the glass tube, D = 0.9

inch
0.9in 2.54 cm 1m
So, radius, R=   = 0.01143 m
2 1 in 100 cm
 47

Weight of mercury column acting vertically

downward,
W = m g = ( V) × g = ( g) × V
2
Or, W = ( g) × ( R h)
Vertical component of surface tension force,
Fsy = (2 R) s cos (180 - )
Summation of vertical forces acting on the
system,
 48

 Fy = 0
+

Therefore, we can write, P - Fsy – W – P = 0

Or, W = - Fsy
2
Or, ( g) × ( R h) = - [ (2 R) s cos(180 - )]

Or, ( 2 R ) s (
 cos 180 o
− )
h=−
( ) ( )
 g   R 2
 49

[ note h = − ( 2 R )  − cos  ( 2 R )  cos 

s
= s
as  >90 o
(  g )  ( R )
2
(  g )  ( R ) 2

the value of cos will be negative, so the final

result will be negative]

We know specific weight, γ =  g

2 s cos (180o −  ) 2 s cos (180o − 140o )

Or, h=− =−
 R  R
2 s cos 40o
Or, h=−
 R
 50

N
2 × 0.440 ( ) × 0.76604
m
Or, ℎ = − N
(132.89 × 1000) ( 3 ) × 0.01143 m
m

0.67412 N m3 1
Or, ℎ = − ( × × ) = − 0.0004438 m
1518.93 m m N

100 cm 10 mm
Or, ℎ = − 0.0004438 m × ×
1m 1 cm

Or, ℎ = − 0.4438 mm (Capillary drop) Ans

 51

Negative sign indicates capillary drop instead of

rise. This drop is very small in this case because
of the large diameter of the glass tube
 52

Table 1 Surface tension of some common fluids in air

o
at 1 atm and 20 C

Fluid N
Surface tension 𝜎𝑠 ( )
m
Water
0 oC 0.076
20 oC 0.073
100 oC 0.059
300 oC 0.014
Glycerin 0.063
SAE 30 oil 0.035
Mercury 0.440
Ethyle alcohol 0.023
Blood 30oC 0.058
Gasoline 0.022
Ammonia 0.021
Soap solution 0.025
Kerosene 0.028
 53

Table 2 Properties of Mercury

 54

Table 3 Properties of common liquids, SI units (101 kPa abs and 25oC)