Capillary Action
Capillary action is 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 because of the combination of two opposing forces: cohesive forces, which cause the liquid to form a continuous, uniform surface, and adhesive forces, which cause the liquid to be attracted to a solid surface. In space and astronautical engineering, capillary action plays an important role in the behavior of fluids in microgravity environments, such as those found in spacecraft and space stations. Understanding capillary action is crucial for designing fluid systems that work effectively in these environments.
Your Previous Searches
Random Picks
- Fluid Pressure: In the context of aerospace engineering, fluid pressure refers to the force exerted by a fluid per unit area. It is a critical concept in understanding the behavior of fluids in motion or at rest, and is particularly important in the design ... Read More >>
- Chemical Treatments: Chemical treatments refer to the use of chemical substances to modify the properties of materials or surfaces in the context of space and astronautical engineering. These treatments can be used to enhance the durability, corrosion resistanc ... Read More >>
- Space Technologies: Space technologies refer to the various technologies that are used to design, build, launch, and operate spacecraft and other vehicles that travel beyond Earth's atmosphere. These technologies include propulsion systems, guidance and naviga ... Read More >>
Top News
Check out this interactive map of the early universe, considered largest ever cr...
A team of astronomers have put together the largest, most detailed map of the universe ever created – and you can explore it now....
News Source: USA Today on 2025-06-12
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory is about to totally transform astronomy...
With the ability to scan the entire southern night sky every three days, the huge Vera C. Rubin Observatory could be about to start solving the mysteries of the universe, from dark matter to Planet Ni...
News Source: New Scientist on 2025-06-12
Trump's proposed science cuts will have huge consequences...
The universe will still be there to marvel at, despite brutal cuts set to hit NASA and the National Science Foundation's budgets. But the damage to future research will be long-lasting, says Chanda Pr...
News Source: New Scientist on 2025-06-11
Starlink satellites are leaking radio signals that may ruin astronomy...
Our ability to study faint radio signals from when the first stars began to form is being threatened by SpaceX's Starlink satellites, which seem to be unintentionally leaking radio signals that overpo...
News Source: New Scientist on 2025-06-09
Asteroids around Venus pose possible 'invisible threat' to Earth: Should you be ...
A swarm of large asteroids likely lurking around Venus could one day pose an "invisible threat" to Earth if left unchecked, astronomers have warned....
News Source: USA Today on 2025-06-06