Question

Water forms a concave meniscus in a glass tube because ________

A. water molecules form hydrogen bonds with each other
B. water molecules repel each other
C. the glass is wet
D. the cohesive forces between water molecules are larger than the adhesive forces between water molecules and the glass wall
E. the adhesive forces between water molecules and the glass wall are larger than the cohesive forces between water molecules

Answer 1

Water forms a concave meniscus in a glass tube due to the larger adhesive forces between the water molecules and the glass compared to the cohesive forces among the water molecules, resulting in capillary action.

Step-by-step explanation:

Water forms a concave meniscus in a glass tube because the adhesive forces between water molecules and the glass wall are larger than the cohesive forces between water molecules. When water comes into contact with the glass, it spreads out since the glass surface has polar SiOH groups that attract water molecules more than they attract each other. This phenomenon is also referred to as capillary action, and it is due to the interplay of adhesive forces that draw the water up the tube, contrasting against the cohesive forces that attempt to minimize the water's surface area.