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Question: Answered & Verified by Expert
Assume that a drop of a liquid evaporates by a decrease in its surface energy so that its temperature remains unchanged. The minimum radius of the drop for this to be possible is. (The surface tension is T, the density of the liquid is ρ and L is its latent heat of vaporisation.)
PhysicsMechanical Properties of FluidsJEE MainJEE Main 2013 (07 Apr)
Options:
  • A TρL
  • B 2TρL
  • C ρLT
  • D TρL
Solution:
1431 Upvotes Verified Answer
The correct answer is: 2TρL

Let the radius of the drop at time t=t be r and at an instant t=t+dt be r-dr

As surface area is given by, A=4πr2,

 decrease in surface area is,

dA=4π2rdr

 Decrease in surface energy during time dt is,

dU=TdA=T·8πrdr     ...1

Decrease in volume during time dt is,

dV=4πr2dr

 Decrease in mass during time dt is,

dm=ρdV=4πρr2dr

 Heat required in vaporisation is,

dQ=Ldm=4πρr2drL    ...2

Apply conservation of energy,

decrease in surface energy=heat required in vaporisation.

 dU=dQ

 8Tπrdr=4πρr2drL

2T=ρrL

r=2TρL

Hence, the minimum radius is 2TρL

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