Capillary action in water is enabled by which property?

Capillary action in water is enabled by which property?

• A. Hydrogen bonding network
• B. High density
• C. Low vapor pressure
• D. Oxidation state

Answer: (A)

Capillary action is driven by cohesive and adhesive forces, and water’s hydrogen bonding network is what makes this possible. The hydrogen bonds create strong cohesion among water molecules and give water a notable surface tension. In a narrow tube, water wets the surface (adhesion) and the cohesive water column is pulled upward by those adhesive forces, allowing the liquid to rise against gravity. The other properties don’t account for capillary rise: high density doesn’t drive the ascent, low vapor pressure affects evaporation not the movement up a tube, and oxidation state has no role here.

Capillary action is driven by cohesive and adhesive forces, and water’s hydrogen bonding network is what makes this possible. The hydrogen bonds create strong cohesion among water molecules and give water a notable surface tension. In a narrow tube, water wets the surface (adhesion) and the cohesive water column is pulled upward by those adhesive forces, allowing the liquid to rise against gravity. The other properties don’t account for capillary rise: high density doesn’t drive the ascent, low vapor pressure affects evaporation not the movement up a tube, and oxidation state has no role here.