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Chapter 5: Problem 6

If you put a drinking straw in water, place your finger over the opening, and lift the straw out of the water, some water stays in the straw. Explain

Short Answer

Expert verified
In conclusion, when we put a drinking straw in water, place our finger over the opening and lift it out, the water stays in the straw due to the pressure difference created between the inside and the outside of the straw. The atmospheric pressure outside the straw pushes the water upwards, counteracting the gravitational force pulling the water downwards, leading to a delicate balance that holds the water inside the straw until the finger is removed, and pressure equalizes.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the concept of pressure

Pressure is defined as the force acting perpendicularly on a unit area. In this case, we'll focus on atmospheric pressure, which is the force exerted by the atmosphere on any given point on Earth. Atmospheric pressure at sea level is about 101,325 Pascals (Pa), though it may vary slightly depending on the location and weather.
02

Identify the factors contributing to the phenomenon

When we put a straw in the water and place our finger over the opening, we are essentially closing off the air inside the straw from the atmospheric pressure. The pressure inside the straw becomes different from the atmospheric pressure outside the straw.
03

Understand the role of pressure difference

When the straw is lifted out of the water while keeping the finger over the opening, the air pressure inside the straw is less than the atmospheric pressure outside. The water in the straw then creates an upward force, which helps to hold the water inside the straw. This occurs because the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the straw pushes the water upwards, counteracting the gravitational force pulling the water downwards.
04

The role of gravity

Gravity is responsible for pulling the water downward when the straw is lifted. However, due to the pressure difference, the atmosphere essentially pushes the water upward against gravity, which causes the water to remain in the straw. This delicate balance keeps the water in the straw until the finger is removed, and the pressure equalizes, causing water to flow out of the straw. In conclusion, the phenomenon of water staying in a lifted straw with a finger placed over the opening is due to the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the straw, and the balance between gravitational force and atmospheric pressure.

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