A drop of liquid is in equilibrium on a surface. What is the condition for the drop to remain in equilibrium?

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Q: A drop of liquid is in equilibrium on a surface. What is the condition for the drop to remain in equilibrium?

Solution: For a drop to remain in equilibrium, the upward force due to surface tension must balance the downward gravitational force.

Steps: 6

Step 1: Understand that a drop of liquid is a small amount of liquid that takes a rounded shape due to surface tension.
Step 2: Recognize that the drop is sitting on a surface, and there are two main forces acting on it: the force of gravity pulling it down and the force of surface tension pushing it up.
Step 3: Identify that the force of gravity depends on the weight of the drop, which is determined by its mass and the acceleration due to gravity.
Step 4: Understand that surface tension creates an upward force at the surface of the liquid drop, which helps keep it from falling.
Step 5: For the drop to stay in equilibrium, these two forces (upward surface tension force and downward gravitational force) must be equal.
Step 6: Conclude that if the upward force from surface tension balances the downward gravitational force, the drop will remain in equilibrium.