
Why does runny honey stop dripping when there is still plenty left on the spoon? (continued)
Eric Kvaalen
Les Essarts-le-Roi, France
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David Muir says that it is a question of viscosity. Viscosity slows the flow of honey, but can’t stop it. On the other hand, surface tension can. Even a drop of water can stay suspended indefinitely without falling because the surface tension holds it. In order to fall, the surface would have to get larger, at least temporarily, and the surface tension is strong enough to prevent this.
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