Question
How does the rate of flow of a liquid through a capillary tube change with its radius?
Answer
According to the Hagen-Poiseuille equation, the rate of flow of a liquid through a capillary tube is directly proportional to the fourth power of the radius of the tube. A larger radius allows for more space for the liquid to flow, reducing friction and increasing the flow rate. A smaller radius results in less space, increasing friction and decreasing the flow rate.
