Why Water Stays On A Penny?

Have you wondered why water stays on a penny? You sure noticed water droplets sticking to a penny even when you hold it upside down?

In short – the unique properties of water surface tension such as cohesion and adhesion allow it to cling to the penny’s flat surface.

In this comprehensive article, we’ll uncover the science behind this phenomenon and discuss factors like water cohesion, penny texture, and contact angle that enable water to remain atop a penny rather than slide off of it.

Water Surface Tension

Water surface tension is the property of water that allows it to resist external forces and form droplets or maintain a shape when in contact with a solid surface. This phenomenon is the reason why water stays on a penny, defying gravity.

Cohesion Between Water Molecules

One of the factors that contribute to water’s surface tension is the cohesion between water molecules. Water molecules are made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, and these molecules are attracted to each other due to their polarity.

The positive and negative charges within the molecule create a cohesive force, causing the water molecules to stick together.

This cohesion is why water forms droplets rather than spreading out into a thin film when poured onto a surface. When water is placed on a penny, the cohesive forces between water molecules allow it to form a rounded shape, with the surface tension serving as an invisible “skin” holding the water together.

Adhesion of Water to the Penny Surface

In addition to cohesion, the adhesion of water molecules to the surface of the penny also plays a role in water staying on the coin. Adhesion refers to the attraction between different molecules, in this case, between the water molecules and the molecules on the penny’s surface.

The molecules on the surface of the penny have slight charges or polar regions, which attract the polar water molecules. This adhesion helps the water molecules to spread out and maintain contact with the penny’s surface, rather than sliding off.

The combination of cohesion and adhesion enables the water to overcome the force of gravity and stay on the penny.

Understanding the concepts of cohesion and adhesion helps explain why water stays on a penny and how surface tension works. It is a fascinating demonstration of the unique properties of water and the intermolecular forces at play.

Penny Texture and Chemistry

Have you ever wondered why water stays on a penny? Well, it’s not magic, but rather a combination of the penny’s texture and its chemistry. Let’s explore these factors in more detail.

Roughness of the Penny Surface

One reason water stays on a penny is due to the roughness of its surface. If you take a closer look at a penny, you’ll notice tiny bumps and ridges. These imperfections create a larger surface area for water molecules to cling to.

In other words, the water molecules get “stuck” in the crevices of the penny, preventing them from easily sliding off.

To better understand this, imagine you’re trying to slide down a smooth, slippery slide. It would be difficult to stay on the slide, right? But if the slide had rough patches or bumps, it would be easier to grip and stay in place. The same principle applies to the rough surface of a penny.

Oxidation Layer on Pennies

Another factor that contributes to water staying on a penny is the thin layer of oxidation that forms on its surface. Over time, pennies develop a greenish-brown layer called copper oxide. This layer is a result of the copper in the penny reacting with oxygen in the air.

The copper oxide layer makes the penny slightly hydrophilic, meaning it has an affinity for water. This allows the water molecules to adhere to the penny more easily, rather than simply rolling off.

So, when you place a penny on a flat surface and add a drop of water, it tends to spread out and stay in place instead of instantly running off.

It’s worth noting that the roughness of the surface and the presence of the oxidation layer vary depending on the age and condition of the penny. Older pennies tend to have a more pronounced texture and thicker oxidation layer, making them even better at holding water.

Understanding the texture and chemistry of a penny can help explain why water stays on its surface. So, next time you come across a penny and a droplet of water, you’ll have a better understanding of this fascinating phenomenon!

Contact Angle Physics

The contact angle is an important concept in physics that helps explain why water stays on a penny. It refers to the angle at which a liquid meets a solid surface. In the case of water on a penny, the contact angle is the angle between the surface of the penny and the edge of the water droplet that is in contact with it.

Definition of Contact Angle

The contact angle is determined by the balance of forces at the interface between the liquid and the solid. There are three main types of contact angles: receding, advancing, and equilibrium. A receding contact angle occurs when the liquid is pulling away from the solid surface, while an advancing contact angle occurs when the liquid is spreading over the surface.

The equilibrium contact angle is the angle at which the forces between the liquid and the solid are balanced.

When it comes to water on a penny, the contact angle is determined by the properties of both the penny’s surface and the water itself. The surface of the penny is not perfectly smooth, and it has tiny imperfections and irregularities.

These imperfections can create small pockets of air, which can increase the contact angle and prevent the water from spreading out completely.

Ideal Contact Angle for Water Retention

The ideal contact angle for water retention on a penny is generally greater than 90 degrees. When the contact angle is greater than 90 degrees, the water droplet tends to form a spherical shape, with the top portion of the droplet in contact with the penny’s surface and the bottom portion suspended above it.

This spherical shape helps to minimize the contact area between the water and the penny, reducing the force of gravity pulling the water down.

It’s worth noting that the contact angle can be influenced by various factors, including the cleanliness of the penny’s surface, the temperature of the water, and the presence of any impurities in the water.

Additionally, the contact angle can change over time as the water evaporates or as the surface of the penny undergoes chemical reactions.

If you’re interested in learning more about the physics of contact angles and their applications, you can visit websites like ScienceDirect or ACS Publications for in-depth research articles and studies.

Overcoming Cohesion with Velocity

Have you ever wondered why water stays on a penny without immediately falling off? The answer lies in the fascinating properties of cohesion and surface tension. Cohesion is the force that holds water molecules together, creating a sort of “stickiness” between them.

Surface tension, on the other hand, is the result of the cohesive forces acting at the surface of a liquid. These two forces work in tandem to allow water to form droplets and resist being easily displaced.

Flicking the Penny to Dislodge Water

If you want to remove the water from a penny, one method is to flick it with your finger. This action creates a sudden burst of velocity, which can help overcome the cohesive forces holding the water in place.

By flicking the penny, you are essentially adding enough energy to disrupt the cohesion and break the surface tension. As a result, the water droplets are dislodged and fall off the penny.

It’s important to note that the success of this method may vary depending on the amount of water on the penny and the force with which you flick it. Additionally, the angle at which you flick the penny can also play a role in the effectiveness of this technique.

Shaking the Penny to Remove Droplets

An alternative method to remove water from a penny is to shake it vigorously. Similar to flicking, shaking the penny imparts kinetic energy to the water droplets, causing them to overcome the cohesive forces.

The rapid movement creates enough disturbance to break the surface tension and allow the water to separate from the penny’s surface.

While both flicking and shaking can be effective in removing water from a penny, it’s important to handle the coin with care to avoid scratching or damaging it. Additionally, it’s worth mentioning that these methods are more suitable for small amounts of water.

If you have a significant amount of water on the penny, it may be more practical to use a different approach, such as gently blotting the water with a tissue or cloth.

Why Water Stays On A Penny – Conclusion

In summary, water can cling to the surface of pennies due to the combined effects of surface tension, surface roughness, and contact angle. The cohesive forces between water molecules allow them to stick together in a droplet that adheres to the oxidation layer of the penny.

As long as the penny is held still, these forces are enough to resist gravity’s pull. But with sufficient velocity from flicking or shaking, the kinetic energy can overcome the surface tension holding the droplets in place, finally sending the water flying off the penny.