- #1
Nick tringali
- 71
- 13
I am learning about capillary action of water. As water moves up paper. How is that not violating energy conservation as it is going against the force of gravity. This obviously can't be infinite energy.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capillary_action#Phenomena_and_physics
Capillary penetration in porous media shares its dynamic mechanism with flow in hollow tubes, as both processes are resisted by viscous forces. Consequently, a common apparatus used to demonstrate the phenomenon is the capillary tube. When the lower end of a glass tube is placed in a liquid, such as water, a concave meniscus forms. Adhesion occurs between the fluid and the solid inner wall pulling the liquid column along until there is a sufficient mass of liquid for gravitational forces to overcome these intermolecular forces.
I don't think that's a fair analogy. In those cases it is obvious what the force is that is opposing gravity. In capillary action it's NOT obvious, thus the OPs question.Vanadium 50 said:How is carrying water up a flight of stairs not violating conservation of energy? Or more relevantly, taking it up an elevator.
A magnet can pull metal up against gravity too. You have to look at the total potential energy, not just the gravitational one.Nick tringali said:I am learning about capillary action of water. As water moves up paper. How is that not violating energy conservation as it is going against the force of gravity.
Because we would be using energy in the form of chemical energy (ATP), no?Vanadium 50 said:How is carrying water up a flight of stairs not violating conservation of energy? Or more relevantly, taking it up an elevator.
Nick tringali said:Because we would be using energy in the form of chemical energy (ATP), no?
I think the comment you were responding to belonged to the short digression about carrying something up a flight of stairsetotheipi said:No, certainly not ATP!
The conversion is from surface energy to gravitational energy.
Nugatory said:I think the comment you were responding to belonged to the short digression about carrying something up a flight of stairs
The Sun. Ultimately, it's always the Sun. Everything else is a battery.russ_watters said:It's always a game of Find the Power Source.
But capillary action is not the power source. What is?
russ_watters said:You could, in theory, construct a device that utilizes capillary action for continuous energy production.
While @DaveC426913 is certainly correct for the power source when a wick is included to connect the Earth (and sky) into the energy cycle, I think the answer does not directly address the proximate OP question:russ_watters said:But capillary action is not the power source. What is?
Nick tringali said:As water moves up paper. How is that not violating energy conservation as it is going against the force of gravity
russ_watters said:Water will continuously flow up through the pipe/wick, and you could locate a turbine/generator at the bottom of the pipe.
It's great when these type of questions come up. Forget SR and QM, there are still a lot of classical problems to make your brain hurt.Vanadium 50 said:This sounds essentially like a Sipping Bird, only using capillary action instead of a phase change. I suspect it would be less efficient.
Capillary action is the ability of a liquid to flow against gravity in narrow spaces, such as a thin tube or a porous material. This is due to the combination of adhesive forces between the liquid and the surface of the tube or material, and cohesive forces between the liquid molecules.
Capillary action does not violate energy conservation because the energy required for the liquid to move up against gravity is provided by the surface tension of the liquid. This energy is stored in the liquid's molecules and is released as the liquid rises up the tube or material.
The strength of capillary action is affected by several factors, including the surface tension of the liquid, the size of the tube or pores in the material, and the angle of contact between the liquid and the surface. Additionally, the density and viscosity of the liquid can also play a role in the strength of capillary action.
Capillary action can occur in any liquid, but the strength of the action may vary depending on the properties of the liquid. For example, liquids with higher surface tension and lower viscosity will generally exhibit stronger capillary action.
Capillary action has many practical applications in everyday life. It is used in wicking materials, such as paper towels and sponges, to absorb and distribute liquids. It is also used in plants to transport water and nutrients from the roots to the leaves. Additionally, capillary action is used in medical devices, such as blood glucose meters, to draw blood samples for testing.