What is the primary cause of capillary action in liquids?

What is the primary cause of capillary action in liquids?

Step 1: Understand that capillary action is the ability of a liquid to flow in narrow spaces without the assistance of external forces.
Step 2: Recognize that this action occurs in small tubes or spaces, like the tiny gaps in a plant's roots or a thin straw.
Step 3: Learn that there are two main forces at play: adhesion and cohesion.
Step 4: Adhesion is the attraction between the liquid molecules and the surface of the solid (like the walls of the tube).
Step 5: Cohesion is the attraction between the liquid molecules themselves.
Step 6: In capillary action, adhesion is stronger than cohesion, which allows the liquid to climb up the solid surface.

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