If denote cohesive and adhesive forces on a liquid molecule near the surface of solid, Then the surface of liquid is concave, when
When the liquid surface remains horizontal, the resultant force on the molecule must be vertically downward as shown in fig-(1) and the must always remain perpendicular to the free surface of liquid. In this case
If , the resultant force on the molecule will be as shown in fig-(2). Since must always be perpendicular to the free surface of liquid, the free surface will be concave in this case.