Magnitude and limits of the spherical meniscus associated with liquid rising in a capillary tube

In this theoretical work, the meniscus that forms during capillary rise is analyzed. The absolute volume of the meniscus is anticipated to depend weakly on wettability and strongly on tube diameter. For liquids that have fully risen, the contribution of the meniscus to the overall volume appears to be negligible for most liquids if the inner tube diameter is less than one millimeter. Sphericity of the meniscus is expected to break down for tube diameters greater than a few millimeters.

Automated summary

This theoretical work analyzes the formation of the meniscus during capillary rise, highlighting that the meniscus volume depends weakly on wettability and strongly on tube diameter. For most liquids, the contribution of the meniscus to the overall volume can be negligible if the inner tube diameter is less than one millimeter, but sphericity of the meniscus may break down for tube diameters greater than a few millimeters.