Explain why water drops are spherical in the absence of gravity. Match the words

Question

Explain why water drops are spherical in the absence of gravity.

Match the words in the left column to the appropriate blanks in the sentences on the right.

The molecules that compose a water drop are____ to one another, holding the water together as a liquid blob (instead of a gas) at room temperature. In the absence of gravity, the shape of the blob becomes a sphere because the sphere is the geometrical shape with the ____surface area to volume ratio. By forming a sphere, the water molecules ___their interaction with one another because the sphere results in the minimum number of molecules being at the surface of the liquid, where ____interactions occur (compared to the interior of the liquid).

Options are:

lowest

highest

more

maximize

repelled

fewer

minimize

attracted

Explanation / Answer

The molecules that compose a water drop are attracted to one another, holding the water together as a liquid blob (instead of a gas) at room temperature. In the absence of gravity, the shape of the blob becomes a sphere because the sphere is the geometrical shape with the lowest surface area to volume ratio. By forming a sphere, the water molecules maximize their interaction with one another because the sphere results in the minimum number of molecules being at the surface of the liquid, where lowest interactions occur (compared to the interior of the liquid).

Options are:

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse E
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.