Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1]
- Exam
- Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1]
- Subject
- Physics
- Chapter
- Some Mechanical Properties of Matter
Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1] · Physics · Some Mechanical Properties of Matter
Within a gravity-free hall, an ice cube is suspended in a vacuum....
Within a gravity-free hall, an ice cube is suspended in a vacuum. As the ice melts, it
Options
- Awill fly upwards
- Bwill change its shape to a sphere
- Cwill maintain its cubical form
- Dwill fall down onto the floor of the hall
Correct answer
B. will change its shape to a sphere
Step-by-step solution
In a gravity-free environment, the effective acceleration due to gravity is zero. Thus, the ice cube will neither fall down nor fly upwards.
As the ice melts into water, the intermolecular forces, specifically surface tension, become the dominant force acting on the liquid.
To minimize its surface energy, the liquid tends to acquire the shape with the minimum surface area for a given volume, which is a sphere.
Therefore, the melting ice will change its shape to a sphere.
As the ice melts into water, the intermolecular forces, specifically surface tension, become the dominant force acting on the liquid.
To minimize its surface energy, the liquid tends to acquire the shape with the minimum surface area for a given volume, which is a sphere.
Therefore, the melting ice will change its shape to a sphere.