A metal wire of length 'L' and density 'd' floats horizontally on the free surface of water. The maximum radius of the wire does not sink in water is
[ $T$ = surface tension of water , $g$ = gravitational acceleration]

Question

TestHub · Accepted Answer

Weight of the metal wire acting downwards is $W = π r^{2} L d g$

Maximum upward force due to surface tension is $F = 2 T L$

For the wire to float without sinking, the maximum upward force must balance the weight of the wire.

$2 T L = π r^{2} L d g$

$r^{2} = \frac{2 T}{π d g}$

$r = \frac{2 T}{π d g}$

Answer: $\frac{2 T}{π d g}$

Physics - Fluid Question with Solution | TestHub

Options:

Doubts & Discussion