Final answer:
The ratio of heights to which ethyl alcohol and water are raised by capillary action is typically greater than 1:1, as ethyl alcohol usually rises to a greater height than water due to its lower surface tension and density.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ratio of the heights to which ethyl alcohol and water are raised by capillary action depends on the properties of the liquids, such as surface tension and density, as well as on the interaction between the liquid and the tube material (adhesion). Typically, alcohol will rise to a greater height compared to water in the same capillary tube due to its lower surface tension and density. This means that in most cases, considering the surface tension and densities, the ratio of the heights of ethyl alcohol to water in capillary action is greater than 1:1.
However, it is important to note that the actual height to which a liquid rises in a capillary tube is also influenced by the radius of the tube and the contact angle between the liquid and the tube's surface, as described by the Jurin's Law formula: h = (2 * γ * cos θ) / (ρ * g * r), where γ is the liquid's surface tension, θ is the contact angle, ρ is the density of the liquid, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and r is the radius of the tube. While the question does not provide specific values for these variables, generally, ethyl alcohol is known to have a lower surface tension and density than water, which would result in a higher rise in a capillary tube.