Equilibrium Capillary Surfaces

Capillarity phenomena, such as dew drops on leaves or waterfall sprays, are often overlooked despite their captivating nature. The rise of liquid in narrow tubes, a striking example, has puzzled observers since ancient times, with its name deriving from the Latin "capillus," meaning hair. It wasn't until the eighteenth century that these occurrences were recognized as manifestations of interactions between different materials, particularly fluids, at their interfaces, known as capillary surfaces. This exploration reveals the fundamental principles governing these familiar yet complex phenomena.