Question

A water strider bug is supported on the surface of a pond by surface tension acting along the interface between the water and the bug’s legs. Assume the bug weighs 10−4 N and the surface tension force acts vertically upward. Determine the minimum length of the interface needed to support the bug

Answer 1

Answer:

minimum interface length = 1.36 mm

Explanation:

given data

weight of the bug = $10^{-4}$ N

solution

we will apply here Surface Tension formula that is

Surface Tension ,σ = Force ÷ length      ........................1

and we consider here surface tension for water is 7.34 × $10^{-2}$ N/m

so that here minimum interface length needed to support the bug is

minimum interface length = Force ÷ σ

minimum interface length = $10^{-4}$  ÷ 7.34 × $10^{-2}$

minimum interface length = 1.36 mm