PROPERTIES OF BULK MATTER-1

TOPICS: Elasticity, Hooke’s law, young’s

modulus, bulk modulus, modulus of
rigidity, stress-strain curve, numericals
PREPARED BY,
NIRUPAMA,
P.G.T. PHYSICS,
KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA,
NEW TEHRI TOWN,
DEHRADUN REGION
ELASTICITY: The tendency of a body to regain its original shape
or size after removal of deforming forces is called elasticity.
PLASTICITY: When a body does not try to regain its original
shape or size after removal of deforming forces, when this
property is called plasticity.
No substance is 100% elastic or plastic.
Quartz or ivory balls can be treated as completely elastic.
Wax and clay can be treated as completely plastic.
STRESS: When a deforming force is applied on a body, a restoring
force within the body opposes it. This restoring force per unit area
is called stress.
𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆 𝑭
𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔 = =
𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒂 𝑨
SI unit is 𝑵 𝒎−𝟐 𝒐𝒓 𝒑𝒂𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒍 (𝑷𝒂)
 TYPES OF STRESS

1. Normal stress: Deforming force acts normally on the surface of body.

(a) Tensile stress (b) compressive stress
(a) Tensile stress: (For a long wire)
𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒅(𝑭) F
𝐓𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔 = =
𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒂 𝑨

(b) compressive stress: (For larger surfaces)

𝑭 A
𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔 = =𝑷
𝑨
2. Tangential stress: Deforming force acts F
tangentially on the surface of body.

F A
 STRAIN
𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒔𝒊𝒛𝒆
𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏 =
𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒔𝒊𝒛𝒆

∆𝒍 F
(a) Longitudinal strain= (For a long wire)
𝒍
𝒍
∆𝑽
(b) volumetric strain= (For larger surfaces)
𝑽
A
(c) Shearing strain is the angle through which
the face of cuboid gets displaces with respect to F ∆𝒍
∆𝒍
opposite fixed face= 𝛉 =
𝒍

∆𝒍 F A

𝒍
HOOKE’S LAW: Within elastic limits, the strain produced in a
body is directly proportional to the stress on it.
𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔 ∝ 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏 or 𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔 = 𝑬𝑿𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏
𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔
𝑬= ( coefficient or modulus of elasticity) F
𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏
𝒍
YOUNG’S MODULUS OF ELASTCITY,
𝑻𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔
𝒀= A
𝑳𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒊𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏
𝑭/𝑨 𝑭/𝝅𝒓𝟐 F ∆𝒍
𝒀= =
∆𝒍/𝒍 ∆𝒍/𝒍
SI unit is 𝑵 𝒎−𝟐 or 𝐩𝒂𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒍(𝑷𝒂)

Greater is the value of Young’s modulus, greater will be its

strength and elasticity.
Steel has more value of Young’s modulus than copper, So steel
has more strength and elasticity than copper.
 BULK MODULUS OF ELASTCITY,
𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔
𝐁=
𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒄 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏
𝑭/𝑨 𝑷𝑽
B= =
−∆𝑽/𝑽 ∆𝑽
−𝟐
SI unit is 𝑵 𝒎 or 𝐩𝒂𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒍(𝑷𝒂)

Compressibility is reciprocal of
bulk modulus.

MODULUS OF RIGIDITY, ∆𝒍 F A
𝑻𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔
𝜼= 𝒍
𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏
𝑭/𝑨 𝑭/𝑨
= =
𝜽 ∆𝒍/𝒍
SI unit is 𝑵 𝒎−𝟐 or 𝐩𝒂𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒍(𝑷𝒂)
Stress- Strain
Relationship (Curve)

F
𝒍

F ∆𝒍

Stress-Strain shows following parts during loading and unloading.

1. Proportionality range OA( straight line), A is proportionality limit.
2. Elastic limit B or Yield point
3. Lower Yield point C
4. Ultimate stress point D (Tensile limit)
5. Fracture point E
Proportionality Range OA: In this range Hooke’s law is followed
(𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔 ∝ 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏). Upto point A, when the wire is unloaded at any
stage, it passes through exactly same states of stress and strain as
during loading process. Young’s modulus Y is slope of the graph.
Elastic limit B (Yield point): Upto point B, when the wire is unloaded
at any stage, it passes through exactly same states of stress and
strain as during loading process. The wire returns to original size.
Yield Point (B to C): Beyond point B, when the wire is unloaded at
any stage, it does not pass through exactly same states of stress and
strain as during loading process. The wire does not returns to
original size. Permanent strain or deformity is left in the wire(<1%).
Ultimate stress Point D (Beyond to C): Beyond point C, when the
stress is increased, the strain increases very rapidly till it reaches
the maximum stress( Tensile Stress).
Fracture Point E: Beyond point D, when the stress is increased,
necks develop in the wire, it flows till it breaks down.
The material with greater plastic regions are malleable and
ductile (copper, gold silver etc)
 Elastic Energy
The work done in stretching a wire gets
stored in it as its elastic potential energy. F
To increase the length of wire through ∆𝒍, the 𝒍
force increases from 𝑭𝟏 = 𝟎 to 𝑭𝟐 = 𝐅,
𝟎+𝑭 𝑭
Average force 𝑭𝒂𝒗 = = ,
𝟐 𝟐 A
𝟏 𝑭𝟏 = 𝟎
Work done 𝐖 = 𝑭𝒂𝒗 𝑿∆𝒍 = 𝐅𝐗∆𝒍,
𝟐 F ∆𝒍

𝟏 𝑭 ∆𝒍 𝑭𝟐 = 𝐅
𝐖 = 𝑿 𝑿 𝑿(𝑨𝐗𝒍)
𝟐 𝑨 𝒍
𝟏
𝐏𝐄 = 𝐔 = 𝑿𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝑿𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏𝑿𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐞
𝟐
Energy density,
𝑼 𝟏
𝐮= = 𝑿𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝑿𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏
𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒎𝒆 𝟐
Q. A 2 meter long wire is stretched through 0.20 mm by hanging
5 kgwt. Calculate the stress, strain and Young’s modulus of wire
if its diameter is 2mm. (𝒈 = 𝟏𝟎 𝒎 𝒔−𝟐 )

𝒍 = 𝟐 𝒎, ∆𝒍 = 𝟎. 𝟐𝒎𝒎 = 𝟐𝑿𝟏𝟎−𝟒 𝒎,
𝑭 = 𝟓 𝒌𝒈𝒘𝒕 = 𝟓𝟎 𝑵
𝒓 = 𝟏𝒎𝒎 = 𝟏𝟎−𝟑 𝒎,
Area of cross section A= 𝝅𝒓𝟐 = 𝟑. 𝟏𝟒𝑿𝟏𝟎−𝟔 𝒎𝟐
𝐅 𝟓𝟎 𝟔 𝑷𝒂,
Stress = = −𝟔 = 𝟏𝟓. 𝟗 𝑿𝟏𝟎
𝐀 𝟑.𝟏𝟒𝑿𝟏𝟎
∆𝒍 𝟐𝑿𝟏𝟎−𝟒
Strain= = 𝟏𝟎−𝟒
=
𝒍 𝟐
Young’s modulus
𝑭/𝑨 𝑭/𝝅𝒓𝟐 𝟏𝟓. 𝟗𝑿𝟏𝟎𝟔 𝟏𝟏 𝑷𝒂,
𝒀= = = = 𝟏. 𝟔𝑿𝟏𝟎
∆𝒍/𝒍 ∆𝒍/𝒍 𝟏𝟎−𝟒
Estimate the maximum height of a mountain, if the density of
rock is 𝟑𝑿𝟏𝟎𝟑 𝒌𝒈 𝒎−𝟑 and Elastic limit of rock 𝟑𝟎𝑿𝟏𝟎𝟕 𝑷𝒂.

Density of rock 𝝆 = 𝟑𝑿𝟏𝟎𝟑 𝒌𝒈 𝒎−𝟑

Elastic limit of rock 𝐏 = 𝟑𝟎𝑿𝟏𝟎𝟕 𝑷𝒂.
Maximum pressure on the rock,
𝑷 = 𝝆𝐠𝐡 = 𝟑𝟎𝑿𝟏𝟎𝟕 𝑷𝒂
𝑷 𝟑𝟎𝑿𝟏𝟎𝟕 𝟒 𝒎 = 𝟏𝟎 𝒌𝒎
𝒉= = = 𝟏𝟎
𝝆𝒈 𝟑𝑿𝟏𝟎𝟑 𝑿𝟏𝟎
 PROPERTIES OF BULK MATTER-2

TOPICS: Fluid Pressure, atmospheric

pressure, Pascal’s law , Hydraulic lift
with numerical problems
PREPARED BY,
NIRUPAMA,
P.G.T. PHYSICS,
KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA,
NEW TEHRI TOWN,
DEHRADUN REGION
 Fluids (Liquids and gases ) Hydrostatics (Liquids at rest)
THRUST is normal force applied on a surface.
PRESSURE on a surface is thrust per unit area. Scalar quantity.
𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒖𝒔𝒕 SI unit is 𝑵 𝒎−𝟐 𝒐𝒓 𝒑𝒂𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒍(𝑷𝒂)
𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆 =
𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒂
For liquids at rest:
1. The molecules of liquid are in random motion. They collide with
walls of container and transfer momenta to the walls. So liquids exert
pressure on the walls of container and at all the points inside liquid.
2. Force on a liquid at rest is always normal to
the surface. If force F on a molecule was not
normal , then its horizontal component 𝑭𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽
𝑭𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽
will make the liquid to flow. But the liquid is at
)𝜽
rest so 𝑭𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽 = 𝟎 or 𝜽 = 𝟗𝟎°.
3. The net force on any volume element is 𝑭𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽
F
always zero. If it is not so, the liquid will flow,
but it at rest.
 Pressure due to a liquid column
𝑷𝒂
Density of liquid=𝝆
Thrust on the bottom= wt of liquid=mg
𝑾 = 𝒎𝒈 = 𝑽𝝆𝒈 = 𝑨𝒉𝝆𝒈
Pressure at the bottom, 𝝆
𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝑨𝒉𝝆𝒈 h
𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆, 𝑷 = =
𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒂 𝑨 W=mg
A
𝑷 = 𝒉𝝆𝒈
Atmospheric pressure at sea level (Normal)
𝑷𝒂 = 𝟏. 𝟎𝟏𝟑𝑿𝟏𝟎𝟓 𝑷𝒂(1 atm)
Another unit used to measure atmospheric pressure are,𝟏𝒃𝒂𝒓 = 𝟏𝟎𝟓 𝑷𝒂
Gauge Pressure 𝐏 = 𝒉𝝆𝒈
Absolute Pressure 𝐏 = 𝑷𝒂 + 𝒉𝝆𝒈

With increases in depth pressure increases.

So bases of buildings or dams are made thicker.
 Torricelli’s Baromter to measure atmospheric pressure

𝑃≈0 1 meter long glass tube

𝑷𝒂 76 𝑐𝑚 filled with mercury is
inverted in a trough filled
𝑷𝒂 with mercury. Mercury
1𝑚 Hg Hg
falls in tube till its height is
76 cm. Pressure above
Hg Hg mercury in tube 𝑷 ≈ 𝟎.

The mercury column is supported by external atmospheric pressure.

So, atmospheric pressure = pressure of mercury column
𝑷𝒂 = 𝒉𝝆𝒈 = 𝟎. 𝟕𝟔 𝑿𝟏𝟑. 𝟔𝑿𝟏𝟎𝟑 𝑿𝟗. 𝟖 = 𝟏. 𝟎𝟏𝟑𝑿𝟏𝟎𝟓 𝑷𝒂
So at sea level (normal pressure), 𝑷𝒂 = 𝟕𝟔 𝒄𝒎 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒚
Also 𝟏𝒎𝒎 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒚 = 𝟏𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒓 = 𝟏𝟑𝟑𝑷𝒂
Q. A fish is swimming 10 m below the surface of water in
a lake. Estimate the pressure on it. ( 𝑷𝒂 ≈ 𝟏𝟎𝟓 𝑷𝒂(1 atm),
𝒈 = 𝟏𝟎 𝒎 𝒔−𝟐
Density of water 𝝆 = 𝟏𝟎𝟑 𝒌𝒈 𝒎−𝟑 )

Absolute Pressure 𝐏 = 𝑷𝒂 + 𝒉𝝆𝒈

Absolute Pressure 𝐏 = 𝟏𝟎𝟓 + 𝟏𝟎𝑿𝟏𝟎𝟑 𝑿𝟏𝟎

Absolute Pressure 𝐏 = 𝟐𝑿𝟏𝟎𝟓 𝑷𝒂 ≈ 𝟐 𝒂𝒕𝒎

 PASCAL’S LAW ∆𝑷
𝑷𝒂
When an external pressure is applied
on a confined liquid, it reaches every
point of the liquid and to the walls of h
the container undiminished. A
Pressure at point A,
𝑷𝟏 = 𝑷𝒂 + 𝒉𝝆𝒈 ……(1)
When external pressure is increased by ∆𝑷,
Pressure at point A, 𝑷𝟐 = 𝑷𝒂 + ∆𝑷 + 𝒉𝝆𝒈
𝑷𝟐 = (𝑷𝒂 +𝒉𝝆𝒈) + ∆𝑷
𝑷𝟐 = 𝑷𝟏 + ∆𝑷 … … . (𝟐)
So, clearly the external pressure ∆𝑷 has reached point A in the
bulk. As A is any general point, ∆𝑷 reaches every point in the
liquid undiminished.
 HYDRAULIC LIFT
It consists of liquid confined
𝒙𝟐
between two columns, of 𝑭𝟏
smaller area and the other of 𝑭𝟐
larger area. When force is 𝑨𝟏 𝒙𝟏 𝑨𝟐
applied on the smaller
piston, its pressure is
𝑭𝟏 𝑭𝟐
transmitted to all the points 𝑷= =
𝑨𝟏 𝑨𝟐
of liquid. So a larger force is
experienced by the larger
piston. So hydraulic lift acts as force
𝑭𝟏 𝑭𝟐 multiplier.
𝑷= =
𝑨𝟏 𝑨𝟐
Work done in pushing down the piston=
𝑨𝟐
Work done in pushing up the piston
⟹ 𝑭𝟐 = 𝑭 𝑾 = 𝑭𝟏 𝒙𝟏 = 𝑭𝟐 𝒙𝟐
𝑨𝟏 𝟏

as 𝑨𝟐 > 𝑨𝟏 , 𝑭𝟐 > 𝑭𝟏
Q (a) In a hydraulic lift the diameters of the pistons are 5cm
and 20 cm. How much force is required to lift an object of
mass 10 kg. (𝒈 = 𝟏𝟎 𝒎 𝒔−𝟐 )
(b) If the smaller piston goes down 5 cm in each stroke, how
many strokes are required to raise the object through 10 cm.

𝑭𝟏 𝑭𝟐
𝑷= =
𝑨𝟏 𝑨𝟐
𝑨𝟏 𝝅𝒓𝟏 𝟐 𝒅𝟏 𝟐 𝟓 𝟐 𝟏
𝑭𝟏 = 𝑭𝟐 = 𝟐 𝑿𝑭𝟐 = ( ) 𝑿𝑭𝟐 = ( ) 𝑿𝑭𝟐 = 𝑭𝟐
𝑨𝟐 𝝅𝒓𝟐 𝒅𝟐 𝟐𝟎 𝟏𝟔
𝟏
𝑭𝟏 = 𝑿𝟏𝟎𝑿𝟏𝟎 𝑭𝟏 = 𝟔. 𝟐𝟓 𝑵
𝟏𝟔

Work done in each stroke𝑾 = 𝑭𝟏 𝒙𝟏 = 𝑭𝟐 𝒙𝟐

𝑭𝟏 𝒙𝟏 𝟏
𝒙𝟐 = = 𝑿𝟓 𝒄𝒎
𝑭𝟐 𝟏𝟔
𝟏𝟎 𝒄𝒎
So number of strokes required = 𝟓 = 𝟑𝟐 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒌𝒆𝒔
𝟏𝟔
𝒄𝒎
 PROPERTIES OF BULK MATTER-3
TOPICS: Surface tension, Surface
energy, molecular theory of surface
tension with numerical problems
PREPARED BY,
NIRUPAMA,
P.G.T. PHYSICS,
KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA,
NEW TEHRI TOWN,
DEHRADUN REGION
 Cohesive Forces: Attractive forces between similar molecules.
Eg. Between water molecules

Adhesive Forces: Attractive forces between non-similar molecules.

Eg. Between water and glass molecules

Water wets a glass plate but mercury does not

Water Mercury drops
Glass plate Glass plate

Adhesive forces between glass and water molecules are

stronger than the cohesive forces between water molecules.
So water molecules spread on the glass plate and stick to it.
Adhesive forces between glass and mercury molecules are
weaker than the cohesive forces between mercury
molecules. So mercury molecules do not spread on the glass
plate and do not wet it.
 Surface Tension
It is the property of a liquid by virtue of which its surface behaves as
a stretched membrane.

Surface Tension: It is given by the perpendicular force per unit

length acting on an imaginary line drawn on the surface on
liquid and is always tangential to the surface.

Surface tension 𝑺 =
𝑭 Its SI unit is 𝑵 𝒎−𝟏 or 𝐉 𝒎−𝟐 .
𝒍 Dimension 𝑴 𝑻−𝟐
It is a scalar quantity.
At 𝟐𝟎℃ surface tension of water is 0.07 N/m
 Molecular theory of surface tension
1. The molecules in the bulk (C) are
equally attracted in all the directions. So
net forces on them are zero.
2. For molecules near the free surface (A, B),
They experience a net force towards the A
bulk. To remove A or B from the liquid , B
work has to be done against attractive
forces, So A and B have Potential energy. F F
C
3. To bring any molecule C from bulk to the
surface, external work has to done against
attractive forces. So molecules on the
For a given volume, sphere
surfaces (A) have more potential energy.
has smallest surface area.
4. For equilibrium, the surface should So liquid drops acquire
have minimum potential energy. So it spherical shapes.
must have minimum area (like stretched big drop
S S S
membrane, shrink) and must contain
minimum number of molecules.
Small drop mg
 Examples of surface Tension

A steel paper pin can float of the surface

of water even though the density of pin
is more than that of water. This happens
because the surface behaves like a
stretched membrane.

Water forms small spherical drops when

it falls on leaves. The cohesive forces
between water molecules are stronger
than adhesive forces between water and
leaves.
When a brush is dipped in water, its
hairs spread. But when it is taken out
the water film between hairs shrink
so hairs cling together.
 Surface energy
The Work done per unit increase in surface area of a liquid
surface is called its surface energy.
∆𝑾 Its SI unit is 𝐉 𝒎−𝟐 .
Surface energy 𝝈 =
∆𝑨 Dimension 𝑴 𝑻−𝟐
Relation between surface tension and surface energy
The soap film is stretched through distance
Soap 𝒍
F
∆𝒙 by applying force F on the sliding wire.
film S As a liquid surface has a tendency to shrink
due to surface tension, it experiences force
∆𝒙 opposite to F.
Applied force = force due to surface tension
𝑭 = 𝟐𝑿(𝑺𝑿𝒍) (the film has two sides)
Work done by the force ∆𝐖 = 𝑭𝑿∆𝒙 = 𝟐𝑿 𝑺𝑿𝒍 𝑿∆𝒙
∆𝑾
∆𝐖 = 𝑺 𝟐𝒍𝑿∆𝒙 = 𝑺𝑿∆𝑨 , 𝑺= =𝝈
∆𝑨
Surface tension = surface energy
Effect of impurities and temperature on surface tension

1. On addition of salt (soluble electrovalent) the surface

tension of water increases.
2. On addition of detergent or soap (sparingly soluble) the
surface tension of water decreases. So soap water does
better cleaning than water.
3. On increasing temperature, the surface tension of water
decreases. So hot water does better cleaning than cold
water.
Q. A ( 2 cm, 3g) long wire is resting on the surface of a liquid.
The force required to lift the wire from the liquid is 5 gwt.
Calculate the surface tension of the liquid. ( 𝒈 = 𝟏𝟎 𝒎 𝒔−𝟐 )

Length of wire =2 cm
Weight of wire = 3 gwt
Force required to lift it = 5 gwt
When wire is lifted from the liquid, a film of liquid is formed
between the wire and the surface of liquid.
So, force due to surface tension 𝐅 = 𝟓 − 𝟑 = 𝟐 𝒈𝒘𝒕
The film has two sides. So the effective length = 2X2=4 cm

𝑭 𝟐𝑿𝟏𝟎−𝟑 𝑿𝟏𝟎
So the Surface tension 𝑺 = = = 𝟎. 𝟓 𝑵/𝒎
𝒍 𝟐𝑿𝟐𝑿𝟏𝟎−𝟐
Q. Surface tension of a soap solution is 𝟐. 𝟓𝑿𝟏𝟎−𝟐 𝑱 𝒎−𝟐 . Find
the work done in blowing a bubble of radius 7 cm.

∆𝑾
Surface energy 𝝈 = = 𝑺, ∆𝐖 = 𝐒𝐗∆𝑨
∆𝑨

∆𝐖 = 𝐒𝐗𝟒𝛑𝒓𝟐

𝟐𝟐
∆𝐖 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟐𝟓𝑿𝟒𝑿 𝑿𝟕𝑿𝟕𝑿𝟏𝟎−𝟒
𝟕
= 𝟏. 𝟓𝟒𝑿𝟏𝟎−𝟑 𝑱

Work done = 𝟏. 𝟓𝟒𝑿𝟏𝟎−𝟑 𝑱

A water drop of radius 1 mm is broken into 1000 droplets.
Find the heat absorbed by it, if the surface tension of water is
0.072 N/m.
Radius of the drop R= 1mm, Let radius of droplet be r.
Volume of drop= volume of 1000 droplets
𝟒 𝟑
𝟒 𝟑
𝝅𝑹 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎𝑿 𝝅𝒓
𝟑 𝟑
𝑹
𝑹𝟑 = (𝟏𝟎𝒓)𝟑 , 𝑹 = 𝟏𝟎𝒓 , 𝒓 = = 𝟏𝟎−𝟒 𝒎
𝟏𝟎

Change in surface area ∆𝑨 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎𝑿𝟒𝝅𝒓𝟐 − 𝟒𝝅𝑹𝟐

𝑹 𝟐
∆𝑨 = 𝟒𝝅[𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎 − 𝑹𝟐 ]
𝟏𝟎
∆𝑨 = 𝟒𝝅 𝟏𝟎 𝑹 𝟐 − 𝑹𝟐 = 𝟒𝝅𝑿𝟗𝑹𝟐
∆𝑨 = 𝟑𝟔𝝅𝑹𝟐
∆𝑾
Surface energy 𝝈 = = 𝑺, ∆𝐖 = 𝐒𝐗∆𝑨
∆𝑨
= 𝟎. 𝟎𝟕𝟐𝑿𝟑𝟔𝑿𝟑. 𝟏𝟒𝑿𝟏𝟎−𝟔 = 𝟖𝑿𝟏𝟎−𝟔 𝑱
Heat absorbed by drop = 𝟖𝑿𝟏𝟎−𝟔
 PROPERTIES OF BULK MATTER-4
TOPICS: Pressure diff across curved
meniscus, Capillary action , Ascent
formula with numerical problems
PREPARED BY,
NIRUPAMA,
P.G.T. PHYSICS,
KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA,
NEW TEHRI TOWN,
DEHRADUN REGION
 Plane Surface (meniscus)
Any molecule A on the surface of plane meniscus
𝑃𝐴
is equally attracted in all the directions. Forces
due to surface tension are tangential to the F A F
surface. Force above the surface should be equal 𝑃𝐵
and opposite to the forces below the surface. So, Liquid
Pressure above the surface should be equal to
the pressure just below the surface. 𝑃𝐴 = 𝑃𝐵 Excess Pressure
Concave Surface (meniscus)
𝑺 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽 S
The Forces due to surface tension are tangential S
)𝜽
𝜽(
to the surface. Their horizontal components
𝑺 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜽
𝑺 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜽 cancel out and vertical components
𝑺 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝜽 add up and ty to pull the surface
upwards. To balance this the pressure above
should be more. 𝑺 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜽
𝜽( )𝜽
Convex Surface (meniscus)
𝑺 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽
Excess Pressure
 Relation for excess pressure inside a bubble/drop
If you have a bubble in liquid then pressure inside it will be more
than the pressure outside (𝑷𝟐 > 𝑷𝟏 ). Assume that the bubble is cut
in two equal halves and the right half is removed,
The forces due to surface tension will
act along the rim of the hemisphere 𝒍𝒊𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒅
𝑷𝟏
tangential to it (towards right side) 𝑷𝟏
𝑭𝟏 = 𝑺𝑿𝟐𝝅𝑹 … . . (𝟏)
The force due to excess pressure will act 𝐀 𝑷𝟐 𝒃𝒖𝒃𝒃𝒍𝒆
𝑷𝟏
on the circular area (towards left side).
𝑭𝟐 = (𝑷𝟐 − 𝑷𝟏 )𝑿𝝅𝑹𝟐 … . . (𝟐) 𝑷𝟏
As the bubble is in equilibrium,
𝑷𝟏
𝑭𝟏 = 𝑭𝟐
For a bubble in air (2surfaces)
𝑷𝟐 − 𝑷𝟏 𝑿𝝅𝑹𝟐 = 𝑺𝑿𝟐𝝅𝑹 𝟒𝑺
Excess pressure 𝑷𝟐 − 𝑷 𝟏 =
𝑹
𝟐𝑺
𝑷𝟐 − 𝑷𝟏 = For a liquid drop
𝑹 𝟐𝑺
𝑷𝟐 − 𝑷𝟏 =
𝑹
 Forces for concave and convex meniscus

For concave meniscus Adhesive force is

𝑭𝑨
greater than cohesive force 𝑭𝑨 > 𝑭𝑪 . So
their resultant force is outside and the
𝑭 𝑭𝑪 liquid molecules tend to stick to the wall
of container.
𝑭 = 𝑭𝑪 + 𝑭𝑨

For convex meniscus Adhesive force is

smaller than cohesive force 𝑭𝑨 < 𝑭𝑪 . So
𝑭𝑨 their resultant force is inside and the
liquid molecules tend to stick to the bulk
𝑭𝑪 of liquid.
𝑭

𝑭 = 𝑭𝑪 + 𝑭𝑨
 Angle of contact

For a solid and a liquid in contact, the

angle between tangent to the
meniscus and the solid passing
through the liquid is called angle of
contact.

For concave meniscus angle of

For convex meniscus angle of
contact is acute.
contact is obtuse.
For glass-water 𝜽 ≈ 𝟖°
For glass-mercury 𝜽 ≈ 𝟏𝟒𝟎°
For silver-water 𝜽 ≈ 𝟗𝟎°
For water-paraffin wax 𝜽 ≈ 𝟏𝟎𝟕°
For glass-ethyl alcohol 𝜽 ≈ 𝟎°
 Capillary Action

𝑷𝒂 𝟐𝑺
𝑷𝒂 𝑷𝒂 𝑷𝒂 𝐡=
𝝆 𝑹
𝑷𝒂 𝑷𝒂
A 𝑷𝒂 B 𝟐𝑺 C 𝑷𝒂 A 𝑷𝒂 B 𝑷𝒂 C 𝑷𝒂
𝑷𝒂 −
𝑹

When the capillary is dipped in the liquid, The pressure at points just
below the surface (A & C) outside the tube is equal to atmospheric
pressure 𝑷𝒂 . Inside capillary, the pressure above the meniscus is 𝑷𝒂 and
𝟐𝑺
below it( at B) it is (𝑷𝒂 − ).
𝑹
As points A, B and C are at the same level, they all must be at the same
pressure. So liquid rises in the tube till pressure at B becomes 𝑷𝒂 .
𝟐𝑺
Pressure due to liquid column 𝐏 = 𝐡𝝆𝐠 =
𝑹
 𝟐𝑺 𝟐𝑺
Pressure due to liquid column 𝐏 = 𝐡𝝆𝐠 = 𝐡= … … . . (𝟏)
𝑹 𝑹𝝆𝐠

𝑹 is radius of meniscus, 𝒓 is radius of the tube

and 𝜽 is angle of contact.
𝒓 = 𝑹 cos 𝜽 , 𝑹 = 𝒓/ cos 𝜽
𝟐𝑺 cos 𝜽
𝒓 O 𝐡= … … . . (𝟐)
𝒓𝝆𝐠
𝑹
𝟗𝟎°
When angle of contact 𝜽 is
acute, 𝐡 is positive.
Eg. water in glass tube

When angle of contact 𝜽 is

obtuse, 𝐡 is negative.
Eg. mercury in glass tube.
For a capillary of insufficient length

𝟐𝑺
𝒉=
𝑹𝝆𝒈

O 𝟐𝑺
𝐡𝐑 = = 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕
𝝆𝐠
𝑹
(𝒂𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆)
𝟗𝟎°
So when h is smaller, R becomes larger. Radius of
curvature of liquid increase, but it does not spill
over.
The meniscus gets flatter.
𝒉𝟏 𝑹 𝟏 = 𝒉𝟐 𝑹 𝟐

𝒉𝟏 𝒓𝟏 / cos 𝜽 = 𝒉𝟐 𝒓𝟐 / cos 𝜽
𝒉𝟏 𝒓𝟏 = 𝒉𝟐 𝒓𝟐
Q. A liquid rises to 7.0 cm in a capillary tube of radius 0.1 mm.
The density of liquid is 𝟎. 𝟖𝑿𝟏𝟎𝟑 𝒌𝒈 𝒎−𝟑 . If the angle of contact
between the liquid and the surface of the tube is zero, calculate
the surface tension of the liquid. ( 𝒈 = 𝟏𝟎 𝒎 𝒔−𝟐 )
𝟐𝑺 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜽 𝒉𝒓𝝆𝒈
𝒉= , 𝐒=
𝒓𝝆𝒈 𝟐 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜽

𝟕𝑿𝟏𝟎−𝟐 𝑿𝟎. 𝟏𝑿𝟏𝟎−𝟑 𝑿𝟎. 𝟖𝑿𝟏𝟎𝟑 𝑿𝟏𝟎

𝐒= = 𝟐. 𝟖𝑿𝟏𝟎−𝟐 𝑵 𝒎−𝟏
𝟐𝑿𝟏
Q. Water rises in a capillary tube to height of 2 cm. To what
height will water rise in a tube of one third radius?

𝒉𝟏 𝒓𝟏 = 𝒉𝟐 𝒓𝟐 , 𝒓𝟐 = 𝒓𝟏 /𝟑
𝒉𝟏 𝒓𝟏
𝒉𝟐 = = 𝟐𝑿𝟑 = 𝟔 𝒄𝒎
𝒓𝟐