This question concerns the first 2 paragraphs of this [text](https://www.e-education.psu.edu/meteo300/node/676).
I am struggling to visualize why molecules on the flat surface experience more net inward force than those on a curved surface. If we have 2 surfaces of water which both have the same number of molecules and one is curved, why does the curved one experience less inward force, if anything, to my mind it seems as it would experience more force as it is more compact. Additionally, does bigger curvature imply less surface tension and why?
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In: Physics
Water molecules themselves are angled, which will make one side of the molecule more positive, and one more negative. Due to this, water molecules want to curve together as this creates the lowest energy state. A flat surface is trying to pull in due to its surface tension, but the water’s own pressure under the surface keeps it up, therefore increasing the tension on the surface. Think like a spring that wants to retract, but can’t due to being held extended.
From what I understand, this force comes from the hydrogen bounds between molecules on the surface. On a flat surface they are packed closer to each other, so there are more hydrogen bonds. on a curved surface they’re further from each other so there are less hydrogen bonds
I thought that link explained it pretty well. As the curvature of the surface increases the molecules on the surface have fewer and fewer nearest neighbors. The van der Waals interactions with these neighbors are what causes the surface tension and prevent the molecule from flying off. As the curvature increases, the number of neighbors and the attraction to those neighbors decreases.
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