Question

If a small-diameter open glass tube is partially immersed in a vessel containing mercury, the surface of the mercury inside the tube will be

A. higher than the mercury in the vessel, and shaped like the inside of a bowl.
B. lower than the mercury in the vessel, and shaped like the outside of an umbrella.
C. lower than the mercury in the vessel, and shaped like the inside of a bowl.
D. higher than the mercury in the vessel, and shaped like the outside of an umbrella.

Answer 1

B. lower than the mercury in the vessel, and shaped like the outside of an umbrella.

Answer 2

The pressure outside (atmosphere) is greater than that inside the tube. This means that the mercury will be pushed up in the glass tube. This phenomenon is called the capillary rise. It shape would be like that of the outside of the umbrella. The answer is therefore letter D.