Capillary Length 1 the Role of Gravity

When we dive into a liquid, the pressure increases with depth. This pressure is called hydrostatic pressure and is caused by gravity. At depth Z, aP = 

The capillary length is defined by equating the Laplace pressure yn with the hydrostatic pressure pgK, so that 

For water, y = 12 mJ p — 10 kgm , g = ms and we find = 2.7 mm. For most liquids, 1 mm. On distance scales s C, gravity can be neglected and the system considered as being in a state of weightlessness. If, on the other hand, s gravitational effects predominate. 

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