Related Formula
The work done in changing the surface area of a liquid is given by:
W = T · Δ A$$W = T \cdot \Delta A$$
where:
- T$T$ is the surface tension of the liquid.
- Δ A = Af - Aᵢ$\Delta A = A_f - A_i$ is the change in the total surface area.
Core Logic
Since the total volume remains constant during splitting:
Vᵢ = Vf$V_i = V_f$
(4)/(3)π R³ = 27 × (4)/(3)π r³$$\frac{4}{3}\pi R^3 = 27 \times \frac{4}{3}\pi r^3$$
R³ = 27r³ r = (R)/(3)$$R^3 = 27r^3 \implies r = \frac{R}{3}$$
Step 1: Calculate the Change in Surface Area
Initial surface area of the single drop:
Aᵢ = 4π R²$A_i = 4\pi R^2$
Final surface area of 27$27$ small drops:
Af = 27 × (4π r²) = 27 × 4π ((R)/(3))²$$A_f = 27 \times (4\pi r^2) = 27 \times 4\pi \left(\frac{R}{3}\right)^2$$
Af = 27 × 4π (R²)/(9) = 12π R²$$A_f = 27 \times 4\pi \frac{R^2}{9} = 12\pi R^2$$
Change in surface area:
Δ A = Af - Aᵢ = 12π R² - 4π R² = 8π R²$$\Delta A = A_f - A_i = 12\pi R^2 - 4\pi R^2 = 8\pi R^2$$
Step 2: Calculate Work Done
Substituting the change in area into the work done formula:
W = T · Δ A = 8π R² T$$W = T \cdot \Delta A = 8\pi R^2 T$$
Pattern Recognition
For splitting a large drop of radius R$R$ into n$n$ identical small drops, the change in surface area is given by Δ A = 4π R² (n1/3 - 1)$\Delta A = 4\pi R^2 (n^{1/3} - 1)$. Substituting n = 27$n = 27$ gives Δ A = 4π R² (3 - 1) = 8π R²$\Delta A = 4\pi R^2 (3 - 1) = 8\pi R^2$, leading immediately to 8π R² T$8\pi R^2 T$.
Chapter Mix
Class 11 Physics: Mechanical Properties of Fluids