Maximizing Liquid Surface Area: No Work Required

[arihant gupta]

I want to know how to increase the surface area of a liquid without doing any work. Heating would be counted in work done.

 

[berkeman]

I want to know how to increase the surface area of a liquid without doing any work. Heating would be counted in work done.

What is the context of your question? What are you trying to do?

 

[Andy Resnick]

I want to know how to increase the surface area of a liquid without doing any work. Heating would be counted in work done.

I'm with Berkeman- your question doesn't make sense.

When a liquid spreads (wetting), for example, the fluid-fluid area increases. The wetting fluid does work- the two fluids seek to minimize the energy of the various interfaces.

You could decrease the interfacial energy by adding a surfactant; this would act to increase the fluid-fluid area- but you may consider that as doing work.

 

[arihant gupta]

i know it doesn't make any sense. i myself agree that work indeed would be done.
that's why i want to know if there is any possible way.

 

[arihant gupta]

lets say am trying to spill the liquid without doing any work. i was suggested that it can be done by making a hole at the bottom of the container and let the liquid spill by itself. but i do not agree with that. so please help me out.

 

[Pranav Jha]

what about adding washing detergents?

 

[tatiana]

i don't think that adding more water would increase the surface tension?

 

[ringostarr]

Use 2-Propanol