Surface tension of an ant on water

[engineer23]

Homework Statement

An ant weighs 5 mg and requires 0.5 mm of edge to "walk on water" with the aid of surface tension. How much edge is required for a human who weighs 50 kg?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

I'm assuming that the relationship between area and weight is linear in this case. Is this a correct assumption?? If so, then I know how to work the problem.

 

[sivarama1]

yes,are directly proportional to weight

 

[rajatgl16]

CAn you explain meaning of edge, I've never used this term in surface tension problems.
And in my view surface tension can't bear 50kg force.

 

[Doc Al]

CAn you explain meaning of edge, I've never used this term in surface tension problems.

Think of 'edge' as the perimeter of an area.

And in my view surface tension can't bear 50kg force.

Wouldn't that depend on how much 'edge' you have? (That's the point of the exercise.)

(Note that you are responding to a post that is over a year old.)

 

[DeeNos]

I would say that your assumption is generally correct. However, there may be other factors at play that could affect the amount of edge required for a human to walk on water. These could include the surface tension of the water itself, the distribution of weight on the human's body, and the shape and size of the human's feet. It would be important to conduct experiments and gather data to confirm the relationship between area and weight for humans walking on water. Additionally, it may be beneficial to consider other variables and factors that could impact this phenomenon.