Question

Question: Explain why solids do no minimize their surface area. (Please post a thoughtful and thorough explanation.)

Hints:  Reflect on the explanation of why liquids do minimize their surface area. How are solids different from liquids?

Answer 1

Liquid molecules are hardly packed while solids have hard molecules which are packed together. Liquid takes the shape of whatever it is while solids have definite shape of its own. Solids are something that you can feel and hold but liquids can feel but never hold because molecules don't stick together, it just bounces around. Solids are rigid and denser than liquid molecules. molecules of solid won't flow freely about each other, liquid flow freely & less dense than solids.

In liquid intermolecular forces of attraction are responsible for minimizing surface area, therefore small particles of liquid tend to form spherical shape (minimum surface area).