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MCQEasyJEE 2026Surface Tension & Capillarity

JEE Physics 2026 Question with Solution

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

  • A

    Both Statement I and Statement II are false

  • B

    Statement I is true but Statement II is false

  • C

    Both Statement I and Statement II are true

  • D

    Statement I is false but Statement II is true

Answer

Correct answer:A

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: Two statements about fluid pressure and surface tension are to be checked.

Find: Which option correctly identifies the truth values of Statement I and Statement II.

Step 1: Analyze Statement I. Fluid pressure exists at every point inside a fluid at rest and acts equally in all directions. Therefore, it is not limited only to solid surfaces in contact. So Statement I is false.

Step 2: Analyze Statement II. Surface tension originates from unbalanced cohesive intermolecular forces acting on molecules at the liquid surface. Hence the statement that it results from excess potential energy alone is taken as incorrect here. So Statement II is false.

Step 3: Conclusion. Since both statements are false, the correct option is A.

Therefore, the correct option is A: Both Statement I and Statement II are false.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming fluid pressure acts only on container walls is incorrect because pressure exists at every point inside a fluid at rest and acts in all directions. Always remember that surfaces only reveal pressure; they do not create it.

  • Confusing surface tension with only excess potential energy is incorrect because the operative cause is unbalanced cohesive force on surface molecules. Focus on intermolecular force imbalance at the surface.

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