The Free Surface Profile: Investigating Liquid Energy

[i_island0]

In fox mcdonald - 6th edition page 83...i read that the free surface profile is independent of any property of liquid. But i have doubt that any liquid tried to acquire a shape so as to minimize its energy.
So what went wrong?

 

[Andy Resnick]

I don't have that book, but the free surface profile- the local curvature- is set by the pressure jump across the surface and the interfacial energy (Laplace equation). I suppose one could argue that neither is a property of the bulk fluid, but the interfacial energy is dependent on both materials.

 

[astrokreng]

I can understand your doubt about the free surface profile being independent of any property of liquid. However, it is important to note that the free surface profile is a theoretical concept and does not necessarily reflect the behavior of real liquids in the physical world.

In theory, the free surface profile is independent of any property of liquid because it assumes an ideal, frictionless surface and neglects any external forces acting on the liquid. In reality, liquids are subject to various properties such as surface tension, viscosity, and gravity, which can influence their shape and behavior.

Furthermore, the concept of minimizing energy is also a simplified model that does not take into account the complex interactions and dynamics of real liquids. While liquids may try to acquire a shape that minimizes their energy, various factors such as flow rate, surface tension, and container geometry can affect their behavior.

In summary, while the free surface profile is a useful theoretical concept for understanding the behavior of liquids, it is important to recognize its limitations and consider the various properties and external factors that can influence the actual behavior of liquids in the physical world.