UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 54
Consider the following statements:
If there were no phenomenon of capillarity
- it would be difficult to use a kerosene lamp
- one would not be able to use a straw to consume a soft drink
- the blotting paper would fail to function
- the big trees that we see around would not have grown on the Earth
Which of the statements given above are correct?
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
Correct Option: B
Explanation: Capillarity helps a wick draw kerosene, blotting paper absorb liquid and fine water pathways support plant water movement.
Statement/Item-wise Analysis:
1: Correct - A kerosene lamp uses capillary action to draw fuel into its wick.
2: Incorrect - Drinking through a straw works mainly by pressure differences generated by sucking.
3: Correct - Blotting paper wicks moisture through narrow inter-fibre spaces.
4: Correct - Capillarity contributes to water transport in plants alongside transpiration pull.
Option-wise Analysis:
A: Incorrect - includes incorrect item 2; omits correct item 4.
B: Correct - includes exactly the valid statements/items and excludes the invalid ones.
C: Incorrect - includes incorrect item 2; omits correct items 1, 3.
D: Incorrect - includes incorrect item 2.
Review Note: Tall-tree water ascent depends predominantly on cohesion–tension and transpiration, not capillarity alone.