Question

What is capillary condensation? a. Water bonds to the outer surfaces of a material, and as more water condenses it tries to spread out and wet as much of the surface as possible to minimize its energy through hydrogen-bonding c. Both a and b b. Water sits on a surface of a material but does not penetrate is d. None of the above

Answer 1

Capillary condensation is the result of the balance between cohesive and adhesive forces. When adhesive forces are stronger than cohesive forces, liquid rises in a capillary. If cohesive forces are stronger, the liquid does not wet the surface.

Step-by-step explanation:

Capillary condensation is the result of two opposing forces: cohesive forces, which hold a liquid together, and adhesive forces, which attract the liquid to the substance making up the capillary. When water comes into contact with a surface that it can adhere to, like glass, the adhesive forces between the water and the glass are stronger than the cohesive forces within the water. This causes the water to rise up the capillary, a phenomenon known as capillary action. On the other hand, if the cohesive forces are stronger, like in the case of mercury and glass, the liquid does not wet the surface and pulls itself down into the capillary.