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What is a Siphon?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A siphon is a tube which can be used to move water from a reservoir to another point. Siphons are capable of raising water over a barrier, which is what makes them distinctive and interesting, as well as highly useful. People have been working with siphons for thousands of years, with evidence suggesting that several ancient cultures were familiar with the basic principle of the siphon, and siphons continue to be quite useful for a wide variety of applications.

In classical use, a siphon is a flexible tube which is bent into a u-shape, although a rigid pipe can be used as well. One end of the siphon is inserted into a reservoir, and the other end is inserted into a container to catch the liquid, or left hanging, depending on what one is attempting to accomplish with the use of a siphon. Once the siphon has been started with a priming pump, it will continue to pull liquid out of the reservoir until it is removed or the reservoir is drained.

Man with hands on his hips
Man with hands on his hips

Priming involves filling the siphon with fluid so that hydrostatic pressure will come into play. One of the simplest ways to prime a siphon is to suck on it like a straw until liquid fills the tube, starting the siphoning process. It is also possible to use manual or electric pumps, which can be preferable in the case of large siphons or siphoning procedures involving toxic fluids. A siphon will run until it starts to suck air.

One of the more infamous applications of the siphon is in gas siphoning, in which people insert a tube into a gas tank and use the tube to steal gas. Many cars have anti-siphoning measures in place which are designed to prevent this activity. Siphoning is also used in a wide variety of manufacturing processes, ranging from the production of beer to the movement of various fluids along a factory line. Variations on the siphon design are also used in household plumbing.

Many people are so familiar with the siphon concept that they don't really think about how siphons work. The process actually involves a great deal of math, with siphons being capable of lifting liquids in a gravity-defying act which is rather remarkable, when one thinks about it. As long as the end of the tube is lower than the reservoir and the siphon is primed, it will run quite happily.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a AllTheScience researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a AllTheScience researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

backdraft

The first time I ever saw a siphon used I was probably 7 years old and watching a girl siphon water out of a flower pot. I remember my jaw hanging open as I saw the water streaming out in a perfect unending pout. It seemed like magic like she had done something with her breath that enchanted the water.

With my slightly smarter adult brain I am able to see that there is some pretty simple science at work, but as a child it seemed incredible. Maybe a part of me kind of wishes it really was magic.

Ivan83

@summing - Ouch, that's rough. I've made that same mistake myself, unfortunately more than once. Eventually I learned though. Now I always use a fuel siphon that I keep in the trunk of my car. It does wonders for my breath.

summing

Has anybody ever siphoned gas before? They make special siphons with a pump built in, but I was once forced to used just a length of tube and my mouth. I got a mouth full of gasoline and couldn't get the taste out for days. I must have chewed 10 packs of gum and sucked on 100 peppermint candies trying to get that foul flavor to go away. I definitely learned my lesson the hard way.

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      Man with hands on his hips