3 ms·
Capillary action requires narrow channels. Single surface shouldn't work, at least intuitively. Some might argue that any tiny crystal formed creates narrow cha
by tooltower 4y ago
Capillary action requires narrow channels. Single surface shouldn't work, at least intuitively. Some might argue that any tiny crystal formed creates narrow channels between the crevices, wicking out more of the liquid and speeding up outward crystal growth. But even that is something I came up with off the top of my head, and I wouldn't find it credible without a better source than my shower of thoughts.
- flobosg 4y agoThis mechanism is mentioned in the Chemistry Stack Exchange question linked by the OP. > Indeed, capillary effect is enough. New portions of solution get higher and higher up, and deposit crystals to build more capillaries, much like a horde of guys with ladders storming some medieval fortress.
- janekm 4y agoI suspect that the capillary action is started by microscopic scratches in the plastic formed when the plastic cups are removed from the molds they were shaped over. This may explain all or some of the capillary effect.
- foobarian 4y agoShould be easy to verify by suspending some surfaces ~1cm away from the side of the container to see if there is any deposition occurring by vapor.
- Buttons840 4y agoIt happens in glass too, as shown in one of the pictures.
- flobosg 4y agoGlass can have microscopic scratches that act as capillaries. Somewhat related: I remember one of my undergrad chemistry practicals where we had a supersaturated solution in a test tube. Scratching the inside wall of the tube produced tiny glass shards that induced precipitation of the solution.