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Question

For a small spherical droplet of liquid with surface tension σ and diameter d, which of the following correctly expresses the pressure intensity inside the droplet p due to surface tension?

The correct answer is

$p=\frac{4\sigma}{d}$


 

To determine the pressure intensity inside a small spherical droplet due to surface tension, we use the formula for pressure difference caused by surface tension in a spherical droplet. The formula for this is derived from the Young-Laplace equation, which relates the pressure difference across a curved surface to the surface tension and the radius of curvature.

The pressure difference \(\Delta p\) due to surface tension in a droplet is given by:

\(\Delta p = \frac{2\sigma}{r}\)

In the case of a droplet, the formula gets adjusted because the pressure acts across a curved surface from both sides (the inner and the outer curvature for a spherical droplet). For a droplet, the formula becomes:

\(\Delta p = \frac{4\sigma}{d}\)

Here, \(\sigma\) is the surface tension and d is the diameter of the droplet. This adjustment is because the droplet shape assumes a symmetry where the number of acting surfaces or interfaces doubles for each radius of curvature.

Among the given options, the correct formula representing the pressure intensity inside the droplet due to surface tension is:

\(p = \frac{4\sigma}{d}\)

This correctly accounts for the curvature effects present in the spherical droplet. Thus, in conclusion, the correct answer is:

Option 2: p = \frac{4\sigma}{d}

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Important Questions from Surface Tension

  1. Which of the following statements is NOT correct about surface tension?

  2. If a liquid droplet and a soap bubble are formed from the same liquid and have the same radius $R$, how does the excess pressure inside the soap bubble ($\Delta P_{bubble}$) compare to the excess pressure inside the liquid droplet ($\Delta P_{droplet}$)?

  3. Mercury does NOT wet the glass. This is due to the property of the liquid known as

  4. ________ is a surface phenomenon.

  5. A liquid drop is spherical in shape due to

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