T/F. Liquids have a tendency to have maximal surface area.

T/F. Liquids have a tendency to have maximal surface area.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not necessarily
• D. Depends on context

Answer: (B)

Liquids tend to minimize surface area due to surface tension. The molecules at the surface have higher energy because they’re lacking neighbors, so the system lowers its energy by reducing the exposed surface. In practice, a free drop tends to become spherical—the shape with the smallest surface area for a given volume. The total surface area can increase only if energy is put in, for example by breaking the liquid into many tiny droplets or creating rough interfaces, but that isn’t the natural tendency of a single liquid body. So the statement is false.

Liquids tend to minimize surface area due to surface tension. The molecules at the surface have higher energy because they’re lacking neighbors, so the system lowers its energy by reducing the exposed surface. In practice, a free drop tends to become spherical—the shape with the smallest surface area for a given volume. The total surface area can increase only if energy is put in, for example by breaking the liquid into many tiny droplets or creating rough interfaces, but that isn’t the natural tendency of a single liquid body. So the statement is false.