Filter that Uses Capillary Action

Written by Marcia Malory

Capillary action is the tendency of a liquid to attach itself to the sides of a tube or to a fibrous material.

It is caused by adhesion between the surface of the water and the other material.

This experiment will show you how you can use capillary action to create a simple filter.

2 bowls
Water
1 candle wick
Box or pile of books
Soil

Stir two or three spoonfuls of soil into a bowl of water.

The soil will remain suspended in the water, discoloring it.

Place the bowl of dirty water on the box or pile of books.

Place the candle wick in the water and let the wick hang over one side so that it hangs down into another bowl.

After a time, drops of clear water will fall from the free end of the wick and into the lower bowl.

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