What is the phenomenon where water moves against gravity in narrow spaces called?

What is the phenomenon where water moves against gravity in narrow spaces called?

• A. Evaporation
• B. Cohesion
• C. Adhesion
• D. Capillary Action

Answer: (D)

The phenomenon where water moves against gravity in narrow spaces is known as capillary action. This process occurs due to the combined effects of adhesion and cohesion. Adhesion refers to the attraction between water molecules and the walls of a narrow tube or porous material, while cohesion refers to the attraction between water molecules themselves. In narrow spaces, such as in small tubes or the spaces between soil particles, the adhesive forces pull the water upward along the surface of the material. At the same time, cohesive forces allow the water molecules to stick together, enabling a continuous column of water to rise. This is particularly evident in plants, where capillary action allows water to travel from the roots up through the stem to the leaves, crucial for maintaining hydration and nutrient transport. Other options do not accurately describe this specific phenomenon: evaporation involves the transition of water from liquid to gas, cohesion refers solely to the attraction between water molecules, and adhesion describes the attraction between different substances, but not specifically the combination of effects that leads to the upward movement of water against gravity.

The phenomenon where water moves against gravity in narrow spaces is known as capillary action. This process occurs due to the combined effects of adhesion and cohesion. Adhesion refers to the attraction between water molecules and the walls of a narrow tube or porous material, while cohesion refers to the attraction between water molecules themselves.

In narrow spaces, such as in small tubes or the spaces between soil particles, the adhesive forces pull the water upward along the surface of the material. At the same time, cohesive forces allow the water molecules to stick together, enabling a continuous column of water to rise. This is particularly evident in plants, where capillary action allows water to travel from the roots up through the stem to the leaves, crucial for maintaining hydration and nutrient transport.

Other options do not accurately describe this specific phenomenon: evaporation involves the transition of water from liquid to gas, cohesion refers solely to the attraction between water molecules, and adhesion describes the attraction between different substances, but not specifically the combination of effects that leads to the upward movement of water against gravity.