Why is low surface energy important for water droplets on hydrophobic surfaces?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the importance of low surface energy for water droplets on hydrophobic surfaces, exploring concepts related to surface tension, energy conservation, and the behavior of water in different contexts. It includes theoretical and conceptual aspects of surface energy and its implications for droplet formation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that a thin film of water has surface tension due to strong bonds at the surface, which increases the potential energy of the surface layer and leads to droplet formation on hydrophobic surfaces.
  • Another participant asserts that total energy is not conserved but rather minimized for specific cases.
  • A subsequent participant requests clarification on why total energy is not conserved.
  • Another response explains that total energy comprises surface energy and bulk phase energy, indicating that surface area and surface tension play a role in this relationship.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the conservation of total energy, with some asserting it is minimized rather than conserved, leading to an unresolved discussion regarding this concept.

Contextual Notes

Participants discuss the relationship between surface energy and droplet formation without reaching a consensus on the implications of energy conservation in this context.

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a thin film of water has surface tension due to the strong bonds present on the surface in order to counteract the net downward force and this increases the potential energy of the surface layer of particles therefore on a
hydrophobic surface it forms a water droplet , my question is since it forms a water droplet reducing it surface area to volume ratio ;why is having a low surface energy so important because the total energy is conserved anyway ?
 
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Total energy is not conserved; it is minimized for whatever specific case happens to hold.
 
can you explain why it is not conserved ?
 
Total energy equals the sum of surface energy plus bulk phase energy, and that is surface area times surface tension (variable) plus bulk phase (essentially a constant).
 

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