Infinite flow with capillary tubes?

  • #1
Warp
131
13
I was watching this YouTube video by the channel The Action Lab:

At one point it shows this capillary tube phenomenon:

capillary_tubes.jpg


It got me immediately thinking: Conservation of energy much?

What's stopping that second tube from being bent into draining into the leftmost tube, thus creating an infinite loop of flowing water, which ought to be impossible because conservation of energy and stuff? If that were done, would there be some other phenomenon stopping the infinite flow of liquid? A perpetual motion machine shouldn't be possible.
 
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  • #2
Warp said:
A perpetual motion machine shouldn't be possible
It isn’t.

If the surface tension is stronger than gravity to lift it up then it is strong enough to keep it from draining. There will not be any flow
 
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FAQ: Infinite flow with capillary tubes?

What is infinite flow in the context of capillary tubes?

Infinite flow refers to a theoretical model where fluid can continuously flow through a capillary tube without any restriction or end. In practical terms, this concept helps in understanding how fluids behave under various conditions, such as pressure and viscosity, in narrow channels like capillary tubes.

How does the diameter of a capillary tube affect infinite flow?

The diameter of a capillary tube significantly influences the flow rate of the fluid. Smaller diameters lead to higher resistance and slower flow rates due to increased surface tension effects. Conversely, larger diameters allow for easier flow, but the concept of infinite flow typically applies to very narrow tubes where capillary action plays a major role.

What factors influence the flow rate in capillary tubes?

Several factors influence the flow rate in capillary tubes, including the tube's diameter, the viscosity of the fluid, the length of the tube, and the surface tension of the fluid. Additionally, external factors such as temperature and pressure can also affect how fluids flow through these narrow passages.

Can infinite flow be achieved in real-world applications?

While infinite flow is a theoretical concept, in real-world applications, it is not achievable due to factors such as friction, viscosity, and other resistive forces. However, engineers can design systems that approximate infinite flow conditions by optimizing tube dimensions and fluid properties.

What are some practical applications of capillary tubes with respect to infinite flow?

Capillary tubes are widely used in various fields, including medical devices (like capillary blood sampling), inkjet printers, and microfluidics. Understanding infinite flow helps in designing these systems for efficient fluid transport and manipulation, enhancing performance in applications such as drug delivery and biochemical assays.

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