Basically the title. If you can move mass against gravity, where does that energy come from?
In: 2
It comes from the electrostatic attraction of the molecules in whatever fluid is being affected by the action. It’s the same reason a magnet lifting another magnet off the ground doesn’t violate gravity.
This is a fun question!
The simple answer is that it comes from chemical energy in the bonds between the molecules of the liquid. They lose a tiny bit of chemical energy to turn it into gravitational potential energy (like burning something and seeing the bits float up). Essentially the water molecules (or equivalent) really want to be closer together (and to the walls), and are at a lower energy state when they are, so they lose a bit of energy by squishing together up the small tube. But this has a limit, and why stuff rising by capillary action can only go so far before it stops.
For continuous capillary action you have to put in energy, usually at the top, usually by *pulling away* the liquid there. By pulling away what is at the top you are dragging up all the stuff further down a little bit.
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