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On a clean glass plate a drop of water spreads to form a thin layer whereas a drop of mercury remains almost spherical because

  • A.Mercury is a metal
  • B.Density of mercury is greater than that of water
  • C.Cohesion of water is greater than its adhesion with glass
  • D.Cohesion of mercury is greater than its adhesion with glass

Answer: D

Because the cohesion of mercury is greater than its adhesion to glass.

A liquid spreads when its adhesion to the surface exceeds its own cohesion, as water does on clean glass. Mercury's cohesive forces are far stronger, so it pulls itself into the shape of least surface area - a sphere - and its meniscus curves the opposite way to water's.

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