Answer to Question #41993 in Biochemistry for chad welsh

Question

capillary action is the result of adhesion between water molecules. which aspect of water is responsible for this?

Answer 1

Adhesion between water molecules, as well as the cohesion to a polar surface (e.g. glass tube) is due to the polarity of the water molecules and their ability to form hydrogen bonds. With the help of these hydrogen bonds one water molecule sticks to the surface and pulls other molecules bound upward.