Final answer:
Water in capillary action rises due to adhesive forces but does not overflow because gravity counteracts these forces, leading to a balance where water levels stabilize.
Step-by-step explanation:
Capillary action is the result of the interplay between adhesive forces and cohesive forces. When water undergoes capillary action in a narrow tube, for example, it rises because adhesive forces between the water molecules and the tube's surface are strong, pulling the water up. However, this rise is counterbalanced by gravity, which ensures the water does not overflow. The height the water reaches in a capillary tube is where the adhesive force, pulling water up, balances with gravity, which is attempting to pull the water down. In practical scenarios, like in plants, this means water can be pulled up through the xylem to various parts without spilling over.
Additionally, surface tension, which is due to cohesive forces between water molecules, also plays a role in preventing overflow. It helps to maintain the water's surface, providing a sort of 'skin' that resists external force. Moreover, the meniscus formed due to surface tension will further ensure that water does not spill over easily.
Water's ability to continue rising without overflowing is crucial in various biological and chemical processes, such as transporting nutrients in plants and in laboratory techniques like thin layer chromatography. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is A) Gravity counteracts capillary forces.