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Wax is hydrophobic, meaning it repels water. Of course, this repulsion is not strong enough to make the water hover a millimeter above the surface, but it is strong enough to force the water to act in this way, rather than sit there in a thin sheet. The "surface tension" of the water itself also plays a role.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoWax is a low surface tension material. Water is very high surface tension
(72 mN/m). Nature tries to minimize energy. All reactions apart from nuclear occur on surfaces. It is mathematically provable that the sphere is the lowest surface area to volume ratio. To minimize surface area and hence energy the water beads up into a hemisphere.
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoAt the surface of water, there is interaction between the water molecules and the molecules of the air above it which causes the water molecules to adhere to one another more strongly than they do when surrounded only by other water molecules. Therefore when a car is freshly waxed, there is an interaction between the water molecules and the wax. With the water molecules being bound tightly together, they do not sink into the wax and therefore create beads.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoWater is a polar molecule and likes to bond with other water molecules. It tends to bead up on waxed cars, because the wax is hydrophobic and reduces the adhesion forces (those that cause water to bond to other things). Because the adhesive forces are lowered that means the the cohesive forces (those that bond water molecules to other water molecules) are increased causing the water to bond with other water molecules which makes it bead up.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoThe cohesion of water, combined with the smoothness of the wax surface, causes the water to form droplets on cars, even if they have not been waxed recently.
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoWater molecules are sticky due to hydrogen bonds.
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoThe hydrophobia of the wax.
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoSurface tension
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Why can you see your reflection in a car after it has been washed and waxed?
It depends on the car. A2 A rough surface scatters reflected light in all directions, it is harder to make out an image. A polished surface evens out surface, so that reflected light behaves more like a mirror. The wax fits into the irregularities in the paint finish. Polishing then makes this flat. For a correct image to be seen, the surface must reflect the light, back the way it came, insted of at an angle.
What is an example of a mechanical wave A glass of water A shovel full of dirt The light of a light bulb or The noise of a car horn?
The noise of a car horn.
How can you consever water give a short description?
we can conserve water by not leaving taps running don't play with it don't give small children to play with water don't was the car everyday was it so often do close taps when u are brushing not using water and that's how we conserve water
Why does a pencil look like it is bent in water?
Its due to the refraction of light. This is when the light leaves the water it speeds up causing it to change direction. To imagine this i will use an analogy of a car: Imagine a car is driving on mud (a surface with high friction) if it approaches a road at an angle, the wheels on one side will meet the road first and speed up causing the car to turn. This is similar to what happens to light.
If a car drives 10km across the deck of an ocean liner that is traveling at 90km what is the car's speed relative to the surface of the water when it drives toward the front of the ocean line?
If a car is travelling at 10 km/h in the same direction as the ship that is travelling at 90 km/h, then the car's apparent velocity with regard to the ocean is just 10 + 90 = 100 km/h.
Which property of water causes water drops to bead on s freshly waxed car?
Water molecules are sticky due to hydrogen bonds
When can a freshly painted car be waxed?
No
Which property of water causes drops on a freshly waxed car?
This phenomenon is called surface tension.
Why does water bead up on a waxed car but gasoline spreads out?
A waxed car is not hydrophilic, it is not wetted with water. A drop of water falling on such a surface does not speak out wetting the surface. Instead the surface tension of the water drop pulls it into a spherical shape that sits on top of the surface until it either slides off or evaporates.
Why does water bead up on a waxed car but gasoline does not?
Most waxes are petroleum based, just like gasoline. Therefore, they have similar properties and mix, whereas water has significantly different properties, causing it to 'bead up' and form droplets on the surface.
Why do beads of water often form on a slippery surface such as a freshly waxed car?
A waxed car is not hydrophilic, it is not wetted with water. A drop of water falling on such a surface does not speak out wetting the surface. Instead the surface tension of the water drop pulls it into a spherical shape that sits on top of the surface until it either slides off or evaporates.
Would mercury bead up more on a waxed or unwaxed car?
Short Answer:One expects mercury, like water, to bead more on a waxed surface and less on a painted or metallic surface.Explanation:The phenomena of beading of any liquid depends on the density of the liquid and the interfacial surface tension between the liquid and the surface with which it is in contact.Mercury has a large surface tension normally. The mercury-air interface has a surface tension of about 482 dynes/cm compared to water-air which is about 72 dynes/cm. Both of these are larger than most other liquids. The water-mercury interface has a surface tension of 415 dynes/cm.Both water and mercury decrease surface tension when in contact with a polar medium such as an alcohol.Wax is very non-polar while paint is presumably slightly polar. Of course, metal would be more polar. (Perhaps polarizable is a better term.) One expects mercury, like water, to bead more on a waxed surface and less on a painted or metallic surface.
What property of water is demonstrated when you see beads of water on a waxed car hood?
surface tension, caused by the high attraction of water molecules for other water molecules.
What are the examples of cohesion?
Examples of Cohesion *Water clinging to your newly waxed car *Water clinging to a pice of waxed paper The examples above are actually examples of ADHESION not COHESION. ADHESION is the force that attracts two DIFFERENT materials together. COHESION is the sticking of two LIKE substances.
What sre some examples of cohesion?
Some examples of cohesion include water sticking to a waxed car, water beads on the floor and rain drops. Cohesion is the ability of water molecules sticking together.
Can the car be waxed in freezing temperatures?
if you are not paralyzed but it is highly unrecommended that wax in cold temperatures it damages the vehicle
Can wax on car not bead up and still be good?
depends on if you let it haze up or not
