Problem 2.

78 [Difficulty: 2]

Given: Data on size of various needles

Find: Which needles, if any, will float

Solution:
For a steel needle of length L, diameter D, density s, to float in water with surface tension and contact angle , the vertical
force due to surface tension must equal or exceed the weight

2
D 8 cos( )
2 L cos( ) W = m g = s L g or D
4 s g

3 N kg
From Table A.4 = 72.8 10 = 0 deg and for water = 1000
m 3
m

From Table A.1, for steel SG = 7.83

3 2
8 cos( ) 8 3 N m s kg m 3
Hence = 72.8 10 = 1.55 10 m = 1.55 mm
SG g 7.83 m 999 kg 9.81 m 2
N s

Hence D < 1.55 mm. Only the 1 mm needles float (needle length is irrelevant)