Question

explain why water rises but mercury dips in a capillary tube?

Answer 1

Capillary action comes about as a consequence of both the adhesive forces between the liquid and the tube and the surface tension of the liquid. The surface of the liquid in a capillary tube is called the meniscus. If the liquid wets the tube, the meniscus is concave. If it doesn't wet the tube, it is concave.

Answer 2

when a capillary tube is above the free surface of water in the tube . The level of water in the tube is above the free surface of water in the beaker( capillary rise) . When a capillary tube is dropped in mercury, mercury also rises in the tube. But the level of mercury is depressed below the free surface of mercury in the mercury (capillary fall )