eli5 Why does water form a meniscus in a glass of water

Question

eli5 Why does water form a meniscus in a glass of water

In: 1

Answer 1

Because water is a bit like a glue, water molecules like to attach themselves to the molecules of other materials. It’s why your hands get wet if you submerge them in water.

Mercury is the opposite, it’s meniscus is “down” because it does NOT like to attach itself to molecules of other materials, and [your hands wouldn’t get wet](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNx2bJUctRE).