Kapillárisoké

Kapillárisoké is a term that refers to the capillary action, a phenomenon observed in fluids. It describes the ability of a liquid to flow in narrow spaces without the assistance of, or even in opposition to, external forces like gravity. This occurs in slender tubes or porous materials, such as those found in biological systems or in soil.

The principle behind capillary action is the interplay of cohesive and adhesive forces. Cohesion refers to the attraction between molecules of the same liquid, while adhesion is the attraction between the liquid molecules and the molecules of the surrounding surface. When adhesive forces are stronger than cohesive forces, the liquid will "wet" the surface and climb upwards in a narrow tube. Conversely, if cohesive forces are dominant, the liquid will form a meniscus that curves downwards.

This phenomenon plays a crucial role in various natural processes. For instance, it is responsible for the movement of water from the roots to the leaves of plants through xylem vessels, which are essentially a network of narrow tubes. In the human body, capillary action is vital for the transport of blood through the smallest blood vessels, the capillaries, and for the movement of interstitial fluid. It is also relevant in everyday occurrences like the absorption of liquids by a paper towel or the way ink spreads on paper. The narrower the tube or pore, the greater the capillary rise or depression.