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Explain Why A Drop of Liquid Under No External Forces is Always Spherical in Shape - Physics

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Question

Explain why A drop of liquid under no external forces is always spherical in shape

Solution 1

A liquid tends to acquire the minimum surface area because of the presence of surface tension. The surface area of a sphere is the minimum for a given volume. Hence, under no external forces, liquid drops always take spherical shape.

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Solution 2

We know that any system tends to remain in a state of minimum energy. In the absence of any external force for a given volume of liquid its surface area and consequently. Surface energy is least for a spherical shape. It is due to this reason that a liquid drop, in the absence of an external force is spherical in shape

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Chapter 10: Mechanical Properties of Fluids - Exercises [Page 268]

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NCERT Physics [English] Class 11
Chapter 10 Mechanical Properties of Fluids
Exercises | Q 2.5 | Page 268

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