Toilets flush through a siphon action initiated by a rush of water from the tank.
Here's a breakdown of the process, based on the referenced YouTube video:
- Initial Water Rush: When you flush, a significant amount of water quickly empties from the toilet tank into the bowl.
- Siphon Creation: The rush of water flows over a U-shaped bend in the drainpipe (also known as a siphon trap).
- Adhesion and Vacuum: Water molecules are adhesive, meaning they stick together. As the water flows over the U-shape, this adhesion, combined with gravity, pulls the rest of the water behind it. According to the reference, "It's molecules stick together once the water begins to move over that U shape it creates a vacuum that drags the rest of the reservoir. Down that pipe."
- Continuous Flow: This creates a vacuum effect (siphon), which continuously pulls water and waste from the bowl down the drain.
- Siphon Break: Once most of the water is drained, air enters the drainpipe, breaking the siphon.
- Refilling: After the flush, the tank refills with water, and the flapper valve seals, preparing the toilet for the next flush.
In summary, the flush is powered by gravity and the siphon effect, causing water and waste to be efficiently removed from the bowl.
