Tensile strength of water

Water that is free of vapour bubbles can withstand tensile stresses far in excess of 10 MPa. Thus, a vertical water column of over 1 km in length can hang in a pipe that is open at the lower end. Leaves on trees that are over 100 m tall are supplied with water thanks to the tensile strength of water. However, the effective tensile strength can be disturbed by expanding vapour bubbles in the water. Vapour pressure and tensile force enlarge the bubbles, surface tension reduces their size.