meniscus
Quick Summary
A meniscus refers to the curved upper surface of a liquid in a container. This curvature arises from the interplay of two forces: cohesion, the attraction between molecules of the same substance, and adhesion, the attraction between molecules of different substances.123
When a liquid is in contact with a solid surface, adhesion can cause the liquid to curve upwards or downwards along the edges of the container. For example, water adheres to glass, creating a concave meniscus where the water climbs the sides of the glass. Conversely, liquids like mercury exhibit strong cohesion, causing them to form a convex meniscus, curving downwards in the center. This surface tension property allows some insects to walk on water.234
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