Water in a glass tube that contains grease or oil residue displays a flat meniscus (the tube on the left in the accompanying photo), whereas water in a clean glass tube displays a concave meniscus (the tube on the right). Explain this observation.
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The shape of the meniscus is determined by the relative strengths of the cohesive forces (the forces between like molecules, such as water-to-water) and the adhesive forces (the forces between unlike molecules, such as water-to-glass). Show more…
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