Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-quantum-condensed-matter-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2008/section-a/a1/a/solution

For complete wetting, the meniscus has curvature radius equal to the capillary radius . The Young–Laplace equation gives the supporting pressure difference . Balance it against the hydrostatic pressure . Taking the sap's mass density to be water-like, , gives
This is the height supported by the stipulated capillary-pressure model. The density assumption is needed because the surface tension and capillary diameter alone do not determine a height.

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