Question

Raindrops are spherical in shape because
A. Spheres have the highest surface area and hence the least surface tension
B. Spheres have the least surface area and hence the least surface tension
C. Spheres have the highest surface area and hence the highest surface tension
D. Spheres have the least surface area and hence the highest surface tension

Answer 1

Hint : All liquids particles tend to align themselves in a particular shape in order to reduce surface tension. The fluid particles make sure that the shape that they are forming has the least surface area.

Complete step by step answer:
We know that similar molecules attract each other which is known as the cohesive force acting between the molecules, there is also adhesive force acting between the molecules of different materials.
When the cohesive force is more than the adhesive force and there is a tangential force acting on the surface of the fluid, the molecules arrange themselves in a configuration where the surface area is minimum. This property of fluids to maintain their shape which has a minimum surface area is known as surface tension.
In physics, surface tension is defined as the force acting per unit length. Its unit is newton per meter (N/m). It is denoted by the Greek letter eta $\left( \eta \right)$.
$\text{ }\\!\\!\eta\\!\\!\text{ }=\frac{\text{Force}}{\text{length}}$
When considering a sphere, it has the least surface area compared to other configurations. So the fluid droplets in air will tend to configure themselves in the shape of a sphere in order to reduce the surface area it occupies. As surface tension increases the fluid can easily form drops.
So the answer to the question is option (D)- Spheres have the least surface area and hence the highest surface tension.

Note :
Beading of water on various surfaces, capillary rise, floating of objects are all due to surface tension.
Least surface area and high surface tension should go together, any other combination is wrong for fluids.
The surface tension of a liquid can also be defined as the ratio of the change in the energy of the liquid to the change in the surface area of the liquid.