Surface Tension and Viscosity - NEET Physics Questions
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Surface Tension and Viscosity

Question 1: moderate

If a soap bubble expands, the pressure inside the bubble :

(2022)

1. Is equal to the atmospheric pressure
2. Decreases
3. Increases
4. Remains the same
View Answer

The excess pressure inside a soap bubble is given by $\Delta P = \frac{4T}{R}$. As the bubble expands, its radius $R$ increases. Therefore, the excess pressure (and total pressure inside) decreases.

Question 2: moderate

A soap bubble, having radius of $1 \text{ mm}$, is blown from a detergent solution having a surface tension of $2.5 \times 10^{-2} \text{ N/m}$. The pressure inside the bubble equals at a point $Z_0$ below the free surface of water in a container. Taking $g = 10 \text{ m/s}^2$, density of water $= 10^3 \text{ kg/m}^3$, the value of $Z_0$ is :

(2019)

1. $100 \text{ cm}$
2. $10 \text{ cm}$
3. $1 \text{ cm}$
4. $0.5 \text{ cm}$
View Answer

Pressure inside the bubble is $P = P_0 + \frac{4T}{r}$. Pressure at depth $Z_0$ is $P = P_0 + \rho g Z_0$. Equating them, $\rho g Z_0 = \frac{4T}{r}$. Solving gives $Z_0 = \frac{4 \times 2.5 \times 10^{-2}}{10^{-3} \times 10^3 \times 10} = 10^{-2} \text{ m} = 1 \text{ cm}$.

Question 3: moderate

A rectangular film of liquid is extended from $(4 \text{ cm} \times 2 \text{ cm})$ to $(5 \text{ cm} \times 4 \text{ cm})$. If the work done is $3 \times 10^{-4} \text{ J}$, the value of the surface tension of the liquid is:

(2016 – II)

1. $0.2 \text{ Nm}^{-1}$
2. $8.0 \text{ Nm}^{-1}$
3. $0.250 \text{ Nm}^{-1}$
4. $0.125 \text{ Nm}^{-1}$
View Answer

Work done in stretching a liquid film is $W = T \times 2\Delta A$ (since it has two surfaces). The change in area is $\Delta A = (5 \times 4) - (4 \times 2) = 12 \text{ cm}^2 = 12 \times 10^{-4} \text{ m}^2$. Thus, $$T = \frac{3 \times 10^{-4}}{2 \times 12 \times 10^{-4}} = 0.125 \text{ Nm}^{-1}$$.

Question 4: moderate

A liquid does not wet the solid surface if angle of contact is:

(2020-Covid)

1. Equal to $60^\circ$
2. Greater than $90^\circ$
3. Zero
4. Equal to $45^\circ$
View Answer

For a liquid to not wet a solid surface, it must form an obtuse angle of contact. Therefore, the angle of contact must be greater than $90^\circ$.

Question 5: moderate

A capillary tube of radius $r$ is immersed in water and water rises in it to a height $h$. The mass of the water in the capillary is $5\text{ g}$. Another capillary tube of radius $2r$ is immersed in water. The mass of water that will rise in this tube is:

(2020)

1. $5.0\text{ g}$
2. $10.0\text{ g}$
3. $20.0\text{ g}$
4. $2.5\text{ g}$
View Answer

Mass of water risen in capillary $m = \pi r^2 h \rho$. Since $h \propto \frac{1}{r}$, we get $m \propto r$. Thus, $m_2 = m_1 \left(\frac{r_2}{r_1}\right) = 5 \times \left(\frac{2r}{r}\right) = 10\text{ g}$.

Question 6: moderate

Three liquids of densities $\rho_1$, $\rho_2$ and $\rho_3$ (with $\rho_1 > \rho_2 > \rho_3$), having the same value of surface tension $T$, rise to the same height in three identical capillaries. The angles of contact $\theta_1$, $\theta_2$ and $\theta_3$ obey:

(2016 – II)

1. $\frac{\pi}{2} < \theta_1 < \theta_2 < \theta_3 < \pi$
2. $\pi > \theta_1 > \theta_2 > \theta_3 > \frac{\pi}{2}$
3. $\frac{\pi}{2} > \theta_1 > \theta_2 > \theta_3 \ge 0$
4. $0 \le \theta_1 < \theta_2 < \theta_3 < \frac{\pi}{2}$
View Answer

Capillary rise $h = \frac{2T \cos\theta}{r \rho g}$. Since $h, T, r, g$ are constant, $\cos\theta \propto \rho$. Since $\rho_1 > \rho_2 > \rho_3$, $\cos\theta_1 > \cos\theta_2 > \cos\theta_3$. For acute angles, this means $$0 \le \theta_1 < \theta_2 < \theta_3 < \frac{\pi}{2}$$.

Question 7: moderate

Water rises to height ‘$h$’ in capillary tube. If the length of capillary tube above the surface of water is made less than ‘$h$’, then:

(2015 Re)

1. Water does not rise at all.
2. Water rises up to the tip of capillary tube and then starts overflowing like a fountain.
3. Water rises up to the top of capillary tube and stays there without overflowing.
4. Water rises up to a point a little below the top and stays there.
View Answer

When a capillary tube is of insufficient length, the liquid rises to the top and changes its meniscus radius to maintain equilibrium ($hR = \text{constant}$). It does not overflow.

Question 8: moderate

The wettability of a surface by a liquid depends primarily on:

(2013)

1. Angle of contact between the surface and the liquid
2. Viscosity
3. Surface tension
4. Density
View Answer

Wettability directly depends on the angle of contact. If the angle is acute, the liquid wets the solid; if it is obtuse, it does not wet the solid.

Question 9: moderate

The velocity of a small ball of mass $M$ and density $d$, when dropped in a container filled with glycerine becomes constant after some time. If the density of glycerine is $\frac{d}{2}$, then the viscous force acting on the ball will be:

(2021)

1. $Mg$
2. $\frac{3}{2}Mg$
3. $2Mg$
4. $\frac{Mg}{2}$
View Answer

At constant terminal velocity, net force is zero. Viscous force $F_v = \text{Weight} - \text{Buoyant force}$. $$F_v = Vdg - V\left(\frac{d}{2}\right)g = \frac{Vdg}{2} = \frac{Mg}{2}$$.

Question 10: difficult

A small sphere of radius ‘$r$’ falls from rest in a viscous liquid. As a result, heat is produced due to viscous force. The rate of production of heat when the sphere attains its terminal velocity, is proportional to :

(2018)

1. $r^5$
2. $r^2$
3. $r^3$
4. $r^4$
View Answer

Rate of heat production $P = F_v v_t$. We know $F_v = 6\pi\eta r v_t$ and $v_t \propto r^2$. Thus, $$P = (6\pi\eta r v_t) v_t \propto r (r^2)^2 \propto r^5$$.