Why does condensed steam form water droplets on a takeout container in neat, straight lines?
In: Physics
The mold that formed the plastic lid was likely machined by a cutting head that moved in one axis and then perpendicular in order to smooth the surface to the point of being imperceptible to the eye. It wasn’t perfect though and this texture was imparted to the molded plastic pieces.
When water vapor started to condense those tiny features were more likely nucleation points than elsewhere, making the pattern of droplets.
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