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-----Original Message-----
From: phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu [mailto:phys-l-
bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu] On Behalf Of William Robertson
Sent: Monday, April 18, 2011 5:42 PM
To: Forum for Physics Educators
Subject: Re: [Phys-l] floating cork
Yes, "downhill" in the sense that the system is settling in at a lower
potential energy, but I would like to know what's going on in terms of
forces acting on the cork. I should also mention that if you "float" a
paper clip instead of the cork (paper clip supported by surface
tension rather than buoyant force), the paper clip does the opposite
thing the cork does. There is no adhesion in the case of the paper
clip, while there is in the case of the cork, which is what leads me
to believe differences in surface tension are causing the movement of
the cork.
Bill
On Apr 18, 2011, at 3:27 PM, Aburr@aol.com wrote:
In both cases the cork is just moving downhill
Alex. F. Burr
In a message dated 4/18/2011 1:23:02 P.M. Mountain Daylight Time,
wrobert9@ix.netcom.com writes:
Fill a glass half full of water and it will have a concave up
meniscus. ......
. Now fill the same
glass to overflowing, so the surface tension creates a concave down
meniscus.
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Forum for Physics Educators
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_______________________________________________
Forum for Physics Educators
Phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu
https://carnot.physics.buffalo.edu/mailman/listinfo/phys-l