Two liquid droplets merge to form a larger droplet. What happens to surface energy?
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Question

Two liquid droplets merge to form a larger droplet. What happens to surface energy?

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

Step 1: When droplets coalesce, total liquid volume is conserved. Step 2: A single larger drop has smaller total surface area than the original separate drops. Step 3: Surface energy is U = T × A; at constant surface tension T, the decrease in area decreases surface energy. Step 4: The excess surface energy is released to the surroundings. Final answer: Energy is liberated (Option A).