A siphon is a tube used to transfer liquid from one container to another located at a lower elevation. The siphon works on the principle of atmospheric pressure. When the siphon is filled with liquid and the ends are submerged in the containers, the liquid flows from the higher container to the lower container. This is because the atmospheric pressure pushing down on the surface of the liquid in the higher container is greater than the atmospheric pressure pushing down on the surface of the liquid in the lower container. The difference in pressure creates a force that pushes the liquid through the siphon.
Siphons are often used to transfer liquids that are difficult to pump, such as gasoline or oil. They can also be used to drain water from flooded areas or to empty aquariums. Siphons are a simple and effective way to transfer liquids, and they can be made from a variety of materials, such as rubber, plastic, or metal.