The reason a liquid rises to a higher height than water in a capillary tube is that the surface tension of the liquid is higher than that of water, corresponding to option [D]. This higher surface tension causes the liquid to be drawn up the capillary tube to a greater extent, overcoming gravitational forces. It’s this stronger cohesive force within the liquid that enables it to climb higher against gravity within the narrow confines of the capillary tube. This phenomenon is governed by the principles of capillary action, where the surface tension of the liquid interacts with the tube’s surface to produce a rise or fall in the liquid level. Therefore, liquids with higher surface tension exhibit greater capillary rise, leading to the observation of a liquid rising to a higher height than water in a capillary tube when the liquid’s surface tension surpasses that of water.