[Q] Shape of rain drops, air bubbles and planets

[paigetheoracle]

All the above are compressed spheres - is there any connection between them and the mechanism that causes this shape to occur?

[Theory5]

One word: gravity.

I have a theory that a sphere is the natural shape of almost everything.

In space the heavy objects atract debris. This debris forms around the heavy object in a spherical-ish form.

Same thing with liquids in space, or even on the earth. Liquid will form a sphereical or circular shape wherever possible. I think liquids become spheres and stick together by cohesion (is that the right word?), like mecury. Are you one of those lucky people who got to play with mecury in school? Mecury forms small balls and beads when allowed to flow without a container or something channeling it.

[modest]

Shape of rain drops, air bubbles and planets

All the above are compressed spheres - is there any connection between them and the mechanism that causes this shape to occur?

 

Yes. The individual molecules in a planet and a rain drop are attracted to one another. For the planet this is due to gravity and with water it is because like-molecules attract one another. Because all the molecules are trying to be as near one another as possible they will take on a shape that has the least amount of surface area for the volume of matter. That shape is a sphere.

 

The case of a soap bubble is similar. The air in the bubble is compressed. A force is exerted on the interior of the bubble making it want to grow (like a balloon). The force is countered by the tension of the bubble or balloon which tries to shrink the surface area. So, once again, the least amount of surface area per volume is the most efficient shape—a sphere.

 

~modest

[Michaelangelica]

Are you sure your assumption "All the above are compressed spheres" is correct?

[paigetheoracle]

Are you sure your assumption "All the above are compressed spheres" is correct?

 

Air bubbles is going on personal observation of ones rising, rain drops on TV program about subject, saying that most people assume rain is tear shaped, when in fact it is isn't but this one instead and another TV program about pole shifts, mentioning the geology of the planet. Hope that helps or weren't you asking me but Modest?

[Michaelangelica]

I have seen some funny shaped planets/planatoids.

 

Air bubbles expelled from a SCUBA diver look more plate shaped to me.

 

and rain, there seems to be some contention there too

Bad Rain

[paigetheoracle]

I have seen some funny shaped planets/planatoids.

 

Air bubbles expelled from a SCUBA diver look more plate shaped to me.

 

and rain, there seems to be some contention there too

Bad Rain

 

and I thought you were a 'regular' guy!;)

 

Bad, bad rain!:confused:

[Michaelangelica]

and I thought you were a 'regular' guy!:lol:

No ,no longer 'regular', in any sense, but becoming more spherical ;)

 

Bad, bad rain!:hyper:

Wouldn't that make a great name for a rock-song or Sci. Fi. movie?:)

 

BTW the Earth is not spherical either.:)