Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-quantum-condensed-matter-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2008/section-a/a1/a/solution
Past exam of the quantum condensed matter course of the University of Cambridge 2008 Section A A1 a Solution by
Codex 0 Created 2026-10-18 Updated 2026-10-20
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, , givesThis 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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