Question

Calculate the ratio of the heights to which water and mercury are raised by capillary action in the same glass tube.

Answer 1

P = ρ g h pressure due to column of liquid of height h

ρ1 g h1 = ρ2 g h2 comparing heights of liquids of different densities

h2 / h1 = ρ1 / ρ2

ρ1 = density of water = 1 gm/cm^3

ρ2 = densiy of mercury = 13.6 gm/cm^3

h2 / h1 = 1 / 13.6 comparable height of mercury in same tube