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Surface tension is the result of cohesive, inter-molecular bonding amongst molecules of the same kind on the surface of the drop. They essentially are attracted by each other from the side and below, pulling each other tighter together. As a result, the entire drop begins to constrict into a spherical shape in hopes of trying to reduce surface stress caused by such tension at the surface by minimizing the surface area of the entire drop. A smaller surface area of the drop means the less number of molecules exist at the surface to be tuged and taunt by its neighbors. All liquids try to achieve minimum surface area because it is the most stable configuration.

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What are two factors that determine how spherical a drop of a liquid will be?

One is the liquid's surface tension. A drop of water will be quite spherical because is has strong surface tension, meaning the edges of the droplet are drawn into the centre. Another factor could be the speed with which the drop falls, as the air particles will have to be pushed apart quicker, making the droplet more streamlines, therefore less spherical.


Do liquids that have higher tension produce drops that are flatter or more nearly sperical ttan liquids with lowersurface tension?

Surface tension causes molecules to hold to themselves more tightly. Therefore high surface tension liquids, like pure water, will form a taller drop and low surface tension substances, like oil, will spread out and be flat.


Why does a drop of oil placed on the surface of water spread over the entire surface?

Oil is less dense than water and has a lower surface tension. When a drop of oil is placed on water, it spreads out to increase its surface area and minimize contact with water molecules. This process is driven by the intermolecular forces between the oil and water molecules.


Why liquids drops are spherical?

If the drop is small enough, it is a perfect sphere. A sphere is the geometrical shape thathas the smallest surface area for its volume. The drop takes this shape because watermolecules tend to stick to each other. So, when not confined by a container, and withnothing around it to distort its shape, a very tiny water drop is perfectly round like aball because the water molecules are pulling inward toward each other.


How do you measure surface tension and what methods are commonly used for this measurement?

Surface tension is measured by determining the force required to break the surface of a liquid. Common methods for measuring surface tension include the drop weight method, the capillary rise method, and the maximum bubble pressure method.

Related Questions

What is the shape of a drop of oil placed in the surface of water?

A drop of oil placed on the surface of water will typically form a near-perfect circle due to surface tension forces that minimize the surface area of the liquid.


Which physical phenomenon is attributed to tendency of a liquid drop to assume spherical shape?

Surface tension is the physical phenomenon that causes a liquid drop to assume a spherical shape. This is because a spherical shape minimizes the surface area of the drop, thereby reducing surface tension energy.


What are two factors that determine how spherical a drop of a liquid will be?

One is the liquid's surface tension. A drop of water will be quite spherical because is has strong surface tension, meaning the edges of the droplet are drawn into the centre. Another factor could be the speed with which the drop falls, as the air particles will have to be pushed apart quicker, making the droplet more streamlines, therefore less spherical.


Why a drop of water put on a glass plate spreads?

When a drop of water is placed on a glass plate, it spreads out due to surface tension. Surface tension is the property of a liquid that causes its surface to behave like a thin elastic sheet. The water molecules at the surface of the drop are pulled inward by the cohesive forces between water molecules, causing the drop to spread out to minimize its surface area.


Do liquids that have higher tension produce drops that are flatter or more nearly sperical ttan liquids with lowersurface tension?

Surface tension causes molecules to hold to themselves more tightly. Therefore high surface tension liquids, like pure water, will form a taller drop and low surface tension substances, like oil, will spread out and be flat.


Why the raindrop is spherical?

Raindrops are spherical due to surface tension. Surface tension causes the water molecules on the surface of the drop to attract each other, minimizing the surface area and forming a spherical shape, which is the most efficient way to contain the water molecules.


What makes a water drop round instead of flat?

A water drop is a perfect sphere. A sphere is the geometrical shape that has the smallest surface area for its volume. The drop takes this shape because water molecules tend to stick to each other.


What might affect the size of a drop?

Surface tension


What might affect size of a drop?

Surface tension


Why does a drop of oil placed on the surface of water spread over the entire surface?

Oil is less dense than water and has a lower surface tension. When a drop of oil is placed on water, it spreads out to increase its surface area and minimize contact with water molecules. This process is driven by the intermolecular forces between the oil and water molecules.


Why falling drop of liquid is spherical?

Yes it is. Surface tension caused by hydrogen bonding within the water is the reason. Hydrogen bonding is caused by the strong polar nature of the water molecule. It's polarity means the positive end of one molecule is attracted to the negative end of another molecule.


what is the pull on the surface of liquids that allows liquids to form drop when they fall?

It is surface tension.