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Why did mercury form spherical shape and the water not?
Binnyganesh
It is to do with the surface tension (ST). Mercury has very big ST. Water will form droplets too but on the oily surface. This is because water molecules form hydrogen bonds and the oily (organic) matter cannot form them. Thus, thermodynamically it is more favourable for water to have as little interactions with the organic surface as possible. This is achieved by reducing the surface area in forming a droplet.
In a liquid a sort of internal pressure is created because the molecules that are inside (in the bulk) are pulled into all the possible directions, owever the molecules on the surface lack some of the pull. Therefore, they have higher energy and are pulled more inwards than outward. If you imagine all the molecules at the surface (when we imagine the hypothetical liquid being spread a lot) to be pulled in, the matter will 'pack' itself into the lower energy shape with reduced surface area - droplet.
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∙ 13y ago
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Is Mercury perfectly round?
Mercury is definitely not perfectly round. All of our photos of Mercury show that it's covered in craters which cause ridges to form all over the planet. This means that it's not perfectly round.
Why does a drop of water placed on the surface of oil contracts to form a spherical shape?
The surface tension of the water and the fact that oil and water cannot wet each other.
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Why does mercury the metal form a ball shape?
Mercury has a much greater force of cohesion than its adhesive force with glass. Therefore, the molecule of mercury at the edge are pulled inward by the inner molecules.But,the molecules do not move inward as there movement is opposed by the inner molecules.This causes 'tension' among the molecules near the edge.So, the molecules of mercury near the edge rearrange themselves so that no unbalanced force acting upon the molecules of mercury.In doing so, they take a spherical shape.
Will silver float in Mercury?
Steel don't float on water because the density of steel is greater than the density of water.
Why a drop of water adopts sperical shape?
Cohesive forces in given case are greater than adhesive forces. So water molecules form spherical shape. This behavior is more prominent in mercury.
What has a shape of a sphere?
In the nature the small water droplets falling in the form of rain are spherical.
Is Mercury perfectly round?
Mercury is definitely not perfectly round. All of our photos of Mercury show that it's covered in craters which cause ridges to form all over the planet. This means that it's not perfectly round.
Why does water form a spherical shape on wax paper-instead of spreading out flat?
Surface tension attracts water molecules inward.
Why does water form spherical shape on wax paper instead of spreading out flat?
Surface tension attracts water molecules inward.
Why does water form spherical shape on a wax paper instead of spreading out flat?
Surface tension attracts water molecules inward.
Why does water form a spherical shape on wax paper instead of spreading flat?
Surface tension attracts water molecules inward.
Why does water form a spherical shape wax paper instead of spreading out flat?
Surface tension attracts water molecules inward.
Why does water form a spherical shape on wax paper instead spreading out flat?
Surface tension attracts water molecules inward.
Why would water form nearly spherical drops onboard the space shuttle or an orbiting space station?
Its surface tension hold it in a logical shape (why is a bubble spherical?)
Why does a drop of water placed on the surface of oil contracts to form a spherical shape?
The surface tension of the water and the fact that oil and water cannot wet each other.
Why do water droplets assume a spherical shape?
It is because as the air rushes past it,it pushes the sides upward,making the bottom form a spherical shape.You can also look it up in a book about the water cycle,because I am nine,BUT I am in E.L.P.,a program for gifted students.
