Why Do Water Droplets Behave Differently Based on Size and Surface?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the behavior of water droplets in relation to their size and the effects of surface tension. Participants noted that smaller water droplets remain stationary due to the dominance of surface tension over gravitational forces. The merging of smaller droplets into a larger one is attributed to the cohesive properties of water, which is significantly influenced by its high surface tension. This phenomenon is essential for understanding various natural processes and the role of water in sustaining life.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of surface tension in liquids
  • Basic principles of gravity and mass
  • Familiarity with the concept of cohesion in liquids
  • Knowledge of the three states of matter
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the properties of surface tension in water
  • Explore the effects of gravity on different sizes of droplets
  • Study the concept of cohesion and adhesion in liquids
  • Investigate the behavior of other liquids under similar conditions
USEFUL FOR

Students, educators, and anyone interested in the physical properties of liquids, particularly those studying fluid dynamics and the role of water in ecological systems.

Fphy91
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Today I was sitting and holding a bottle with few drops on water in it. I placed bottle horizontally and started to spin in around its axis to collect more drops and make a big drop of water. There were few small water drops that I missed and then I stopped spinning bottle. The water drop was large and it was obvious that if I start spinning bottle again drop will start to move because of gravity, but what about those small water drops that I missed. Why are they not moving? Does it have something to do with mass or is it that friction force is stronger than gravity?(but again if small water drop is up side down *-imagine you have small water drops on your ceiling -* why it just does not drop down?). Also why and how water merge into one big drop? Why other elements or materials can't do the same?( i guess that they have to be in one of 3 elemental states to have ability to merge and not all can do it).
I am newbie to all this but really interested.
 
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+1 DEvens. These effects are due to surface tension, of which water has a lot. And it is one (of several) reasons why water is the keystone to the existence of life as we know it.
 
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