Q52 / 75 · JEE Main 2026 (22 January Shift 1) · Physics
Given below are two statements:
Statement I: Pressure of a fluid is exerted only on a solid surface in contact as the fluid-pressure does not exist everywhere in a still fluid.
Statement II: Excess potential energy of the molecules on the surface of a liquid, when compared to interior, results in surface tension.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below
Statement I: Pressure of a fluid is exerted only on a solid surface in contact as the fluid-pressure does not exist everywhere in a still fluid.
Statement II: Excess potential energy of the molecules on the surface of a liquid, when compared to interior, results in surface tension.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below
- Correct answerAStatement I is false but Statement II is true
- BStatement I is true but Statement II is false
- CBoth Statement I and Statement II are false
- DBoth Statement I and Statement II are true
Solution
Statement I is false: Fluid pressure exists everywhere in a still fluid, not only on solid surfaces. According to Pascal's principle, pressure at any point in a static fluid acts equally in all directions and throughout the fluid volume.
Statement II is true: Surface tension results from excess potential energy of molecules at the liquid surface. Surface molecules experience net inward attractive forces from interior molecules, creating an imbalance that increases their potential energy and manifests as surface tension acting along the surface.
Statement II is true: Surface tension results from excess potential energy of molecules at the liquid surface. Surface molecules experience net inward attractive forces from interior molecules, creating an imbalance that increases their potential energy and manifests as surface tension acting along the surface.
Hence, the correct answer is option: 'A'.