Question

The spherical shape of rain-drop is due to:

• A. gravity
• B. atmospheric pressure
• C. surface tension
• D. viscosity

Answer 1

Answer:

C. surface tension

Surface tension

The spherical shape of a raindrop is due to surface tension, which is the property of a liquid that causes it to behave as if it has an "elastic skin" at its surface.

Surface tension causes the raindrop to:

• Minimize its surface area

• Assume a spherical shape, which has the smallest surface area for a given volume

This is why raindrops are typically spherical in shape.