Does the Cheerio Effect Occur in Zero-Gravity?

Thread starter GRB 080319B
Start date Mar 17, 2011

AI Thread Summary

The Cheerio effect, which describes how small objects can cluster on the surface of a liquid due to surface tension, does not occur in zero gravity. In a zero-G environment, liquids do not form stable surfaces but instead create floating bubbles. These bubbles can attract small objects placed on them, but the dynamics differ significantly from those on Earth. The absence of gravity alters the behavior of liquids, preventing the typical floating phenomenon. Overall, the principles governing the Cheerio effect are not applicable in zero-G conditions.

Mar 17, 2011

GRB 080319B

Does the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheerio_effect" happen in zero-G?

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Mar 17, 2011

russ_watters

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I would say that you can't float on top of a liquid in zero-g, no.

Mar 18, 2011

DrZoidberg

In zero-g, liquids will form into floating bubbles. You could place two small objects on the surface of such a bubble and they would probably attract each other.

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