What property of water causes a water droplet to be shaped like a dome?
Also can you please explain these words?
Surface temperature, surface area and surface tension.
I suppose the most appropriate word for the droplet of water is surface tension but you may also hear the word cohesion used.
Surface temperature is the temperature at the surface rather than on the interior.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_area
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/%E2%80%8Chbase/surten.html
The property of water that causes a water droplet to be shaped like a dome is called surface tension.
Surface tension is the force that acts on the surface layer of a liquid, such as water, which tends to minimize its surface area. It is the result of cohesive forces between the water molecules at the surface. These forces pull the molecules inward and create a phenomenon where the surface behaves like a stretched elastic sheet.
The water molecules at the surface of the droplet are more attracted to each other than to the surrounding air molecules. This causes the droplet to minimize its surface area, creating a spherical shape and causing it to form a droplet with a curved surface.
Now, let's explain the other terms:
1. Surface temperature: This refers to the temperature of the surface of an object or substance. In the case of water, it is the temperature of the water at its surface. Surface temperature can differ from the temperature deeper within the substance or object.
2. Surface area: Surface area refers to the total area of the surface of an object or substance. In the case of a water droplet, it refers to the combined area of the outer surface of the droplet.
3. Surface tension: As mentioned earlier, surface tension is the force that acts on the surface of a liquid and tends to minimize its surface area. It is caused by the cohesive forces between molecules at the surface. Surface tension is responsible for various phenomena, such as the formation of droplets, capillary action, and the ability of insects to walk on water.