Civil Services Prep

Prelims 2012 · Science and Technology · Question 93

Consider the following statements: If there were no phenomenon of capillarity

  1. It would be difficult to use a kerosene lamp.
  2. One would not be able to use a straw to consume a soft drink.
  3. The blotting paper would fail to function.
  4. The big trees that we see around would not have grown on the Earth.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. 1, 2 and 3 only
  2. 1, 3 and 4 only
  3. 2 and 4 only
  4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer

1, 3 and 4 only

1. Kerosene lamp — Correct. The wick draws kerosene upward by capillary action; without capillarity, fuel would not reach the flame properly.

2. Drinking with a straw — Incorrect. A straw works mainly due to pressure difference created by sucking, not capillarity.

3. Blotting paper — Correct. Blotting paper absorbs ink/liquid through its fine pores by capillary action; without it, it would not work.

4. Growth of big trees — Correct. Upward movement of water in narrow xylem vessels is aided by capillarity (along with cohesion-transpiration mechanisms); without this effect, tall trees could not grow as they do.

Hence, statements 1, 3 and 4 are correct.

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