Proponents: Pelin, Kaina Angelique B. Divinagracia, Aizel Arne Tiu, Daleton D.

I. OBJECTIVES This laboratory activity aims: To determine when does capillarity occur; To determine what factors are responsible for the occurrence of capillarity action and; To determine when does capillarity action occur fast.

II. MATERIALS 3 (120ml) beakers Ice Dye Ruler Mercury-in-glass thermometer Electric Bunsen Burner Water Cutter Stirring Rod 3 Impatiens plant (removed already from soil)

III. PROCEDURES 1) The materials were all gathered. 2) The three beakers were filled with 100ml of water each. 3) Dye was added to the water in each beaker. It was stirred then properly using a stirring rod.

4) One Impatiens plant was put in each beaker in which three setups were made. (A) One beaker with an impatiens plant was then boiled for 10 minutes. After boiling, it was put into rest for another 10 minutes in which the total observation time was 20 minutes. (B) The second one was added with ice and was put to observation for 20 minutes. (C) The third one, with water that has normal temperature, was also put to observation for 20 minutes.

5) After 20 minutes in each setup, the temperature of water in each beaker was measured then the first results happened in each impatiens plant was observed. 6) Next, the beakers were placed next to each other and were left to be observed for six hours. 7) After six hours, the temperature of water in each beaker was measured first then the final results happened in each impatiens plant was observed.

IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Setup Temperature in o C (after 20 min) Length (cm) A556.5 B202 C353 Table 1. Observation after 20 minutes In the first observation, result showed that Setup A achieved a temperature of 55 O C after 20 minutes in which the length of water that has risen and absorbed up in the stem of the impatiens plant was 6.5 cm; Setup B – 2 cm at 20 O C; and Setup C – 3 cm at 35 O C.

In the second observation, result showed that all Setups now achieved thermal equilibrium at 28 O C since it was placed at rest next to each other for about six hours, but, the length of water that has risen and absorbed up in the stem of the impatiens plant in each setup still varied: Setup A – 7 cm; Setup B – 4.5 cm; and Setup C – 4 cm. Setup Temperature in o C (after 6 hours) Length (cm) A287 B 4.5 C284 Table 2. Observation after the following six hours

Since all the Setups now were in thermal equilibrium at 28 O C, it is understood that in Setups A and C, the temperature decreases while in Setup B, the temperature increases. Based on the data gathered, as shown in Table 1 and Table 2, it can be said that capillarity occurs faster when a plant is in warm water and slower when in cold water.

V. CONCLUSION

Capillarity is the ability of a substance to draw another substance into it and it is part of the reason that water rises in a plant stem and moves throughout the plant. This effect can cause liquids to flow against the force of gravity. It occurs because of inter-molecular cohesive and adhesive forces between the liquid and solid surrounding surfaces; if the diameter of the tube/stem is sufficiently small, then the combination of surface tension and forces of adhesion between the liquid and container act to lift the liquid.

In addition, capillarity occurs faster in the presence of warm or hot water. The hot water molecules travels faster than the cold water because heat causes the kinetic energy of the water molecules to increase, speeding them up. Without the wondrous natural effect of capillarity action, plants, along with many other organisms, would not be able to get water to all portions of their bodies and they would die. Therefore, capillarity is a very important phenomenon not only to plants but also to life in order to live.

References “Capillary Action”.USGS Water Science for Schools[online] Retrieved URL: Date Retrieved: 7/6/12 Color Changing Carnations [online] Retrieved URL: Date Retrieved: 7/6/12 VanCleave, Janice2010.Capillary Action [online] Retrieved URL: Date Retrieved: 7/6/12 How do Flowers Absorbs Water? [online] Retrieved URL: Date Retrieved: 7/6/12