Given below are two statements:
Statement I: Pressure of 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 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)Statement I is true but Statement II is false
- (B)Both Statement I and Statement II are false
- (C)Both Statement I and Statement II are true
- (D)Statement I is false but Statement II is true✓ Correct
Answer: (D)
Solution
Pressure in a fluid at rest acts at every interior point and in every direction, not merely where the fluid touches a solid, so the first statement is false. The molecules in the surface layer of a liquid have fewer neighbours than those in the bulk and therefore carry greater potential energy; this excess surface energy is precisely what appears as surface tension, so the second statement is true. Thus the first statement is false while the second statement is true.
JEE Main · 2026 · 22 Jan 2026 · Shift 1 · Single correct option