Log out Go to App
Go to App

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 12: Problem 25

A glass can be filled slightly above the rim with water. Explain why the water does not overflow.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The water doesn't overflow immediately when a glass is overfilled due to surface tension, a property of water that causes its surface to shrink to the smallest possible area. This results in a dome-like bulge of water above the rim of the glass instead of immediate overflowing.

Step by step solution

01

Identifying the phenomenon

This is a phenomenon that can be observed in the kitchen when filling a glass with water slightly above the rim; the water does not overflow immediately. Instead, it forms a sort of 'bulge' or 'dome' above the rim of the glass.
02

Explaining Surface Tension

The reason this happens is due to a property of liquids called surface tension. Surface tension can be thought of as the tendency of liquid surfaces to shrink into the minimum surface area possible. This is caused by cohesive forces between similar liquid molecules. In water, these forces are especially strong due to hydrogen bonding between water molecules.
03

Surface tension and the glass rim

When a glass of water is filled to the rim, the cohesive forces between the water molecules prevent them from spilling over the edge immediately. Instead, these forces pull the water molecules together, creating a dome-like shape above the rim. This dome or bulge is simply the water molecules attempting to shrink into the minimum surface area, as is their tendency due to surface tension.
04

Reiterating the main point

The water doesn't overflow immediately due to the surface tension among the water molecules. By sticking together, they form a bulge above the rim of the glass instead of spilling over.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Use the concept of intermolecular forces to explain why the far end of a walking cane rises when one raises the handle.

A beaker of water is placed in a closed container. Predict the effect on the vapor pressure of the water when (a) its temperature is lowered, (b) the volume of the container is doubled, (c) more water is added to the beaker.

Explain how water's phase diagram differs from those of most substances. What property of water causes the difference?

Name the kinds of attractive forces that must be overcome to (a) boil liquid ammonia, (b) melt solid phosphorus \(\left(\mathrm{P}_{4}\right),\) (c) dissolve CsI in liquid \(\mathrm{HF},\) (d) melt potassium metal.

A pressure cooker is a sealed container that allows steam to escape when it exceeds a predetermined pressure. How does this device reduce the time needed for cooking?
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

Ionic and Molecular Compounds

Read Explanation

Inorganic Chemistry

Read Explanation

Organic Chemistry

Read Explanation

Chemical Reactions

Read Explanation

Kinetics

Read Explanation

Making Measurements

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free