A capillary tube of radius r is immersed vertically in a liquid such that liquid rises in it to height h (less than the length of the tube). Mass of liquid in the capillary tube is m. If radius of the capillary tube is increased by 50%, the mass of liquid that will rise in the tube is:
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In capillary rise problems:
m ∝ r
because height decreases but volume increases faster.
Step 1: Height of capillary rise:
h=(2Tcosθ)/(ρ g r)
Step 2: Mass of liquid:
m=ρ π r² h
Step 3: Substituting h:
m ∝ r
Step 4: If radius increases by 50%:
r' = 1.5r ⟹ m' = 1.5m = (3)/(2)m