Why is Water Sticky? Part 2 -- Investigating the Properties of Adhesion & Capillary Action

What is Adhesion? Polarity makes water molecules attract to other water molecules (cohesion) Additionally, water molecules can be attracted to other substances. Adhesion: water’s natural tendency to cling to certain substances This causes capillary action

How does Capillary Action work? Capillary action: result of cohesion of water and adhesion of that water to the solid material around it As plants release water from their leaves (transpiration), a void is created. Water is drawn upward into plant due to its attraction to the walls of the xylem tubes within the stems.

Other Evidence of Capillary Action Florists often put flowers in water that contains dye to color them for special uses Groundwater moves through soil, from wet areas to dry areas because of capillary action Paper towels absorb or “wick” fluids, allowing a fluid to be transferred from a surface to the towel Sport & exercise fabrics are referred to as “wicking fabrics” because they use capillary action to pull sweat away from the body