Conceptual Physics (12th Edition)

Published by Addison-Wesley
ISBN 10: 0321909100
ISBN 13: 978-0-32190-910-7

Chapter 14 - Think and Do - Page 278-279: 37

Answer

This is a hands-on demonstration. When you block the top of the water-filled straw, you isolate the top of the column from the atmosphere, and have (effectively) made a barometer (page 268). Atmospheric pressure holds up the column of water. When you open the top, there is now equal pressure on both ends of the column, and gravity pulls the water out. Chemists use glass pipettes to transfer fluids.
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