Siphonation

Siphonation is a process that uses a siphon to transfer liquid from a higher reservoir to a lower one. A siphon is a bent tube or pipe that relies on atmospheric pressure and gravity to move the liquid. For a siphon to work, the starting end of the tube must be submerged in the liquid in the higher reservoir, and the entire tube must be filled with liquid before the process can begin. The end of the tube in the lower reservoir must be lower than the surface of the liquid in the higher reservoir.

The mechanism behind siphonation involves creating a pressure difference. When the liquid flows down the longer leg of the siphon, it creates a lower pressure at the highest point of the tube. The atmospheric pressure on the surface of the liquid in the higher reservoir then pushes the liquid up into the tube and over the bend. As long as the exit end of the siphon is lower than the liquid surface of the source, gravity will continue to pull the liquid through the tube and out into the lower reservoir.

Siphonation is a common method for draining tanks or containers without needing to tilt them or use pumps. It finds applications in various fields, including everyday tasks like transferring fuel or water, as well as in more complex systems in laboratories and industrial settings. The efficiency of a siphon depends on factors such as the diameter of the tube, the difference in height between the reservoirs, and the presence of air bubbles, which can disrupt the flow.