I have noticed before how Cheerios seem to clump together in the bowl before but never really given it much thought. Today I came across and article in my Mental Floss magazine that explains it and from what I looked at online may also help explain the galaxies. Once again it turns out something very ordinary isn't really what it appears.
Ever notice how Cheerios tend to cling together in your bowl,almost as if they're huddling up to escape the wrath of your spoon? Well,they're not closing ranks out of terror. The phenomenon is the result of a simple bit of fluid mechanics known as The Cheerios Effect.
How it works. Cheerios'bouyancy makes them float,while the surface tension of the milk acts like a stretchy membrane. When milk gathers around the sides of the Cheerios,it actually changes shape. So,instead of a flat,taut membrane,the surface is now riddled with tiny depressions around each piece of cereal. As the Cheerios begin falling into each other's small depressions,the pieces end up collecting in clumps.
Just a little something for you to chew on next time you have a bowl or cereal!
Ever notice how Cheerios tend to cling together in your bowl,almost as if they're huddling up to escape the wrath of your spoon? Well,they're not closing ranks out of terror. The phenomenon is the result of a simple bit of fluid mechanics known as The Cheerios Effect.
How it works. Cheerios'bouyancy makes them float,while the surface tension of the milk acts like a stretchy membrane. When milk gathers around the sides of the Cheerios,it actually changes shape. So,instead of a flat,taut membrane,the surface is now riddled with tiny depressions around each piece of cereal. As the Cheerios begin falling into each other's small depressions,the pieces end up collecting in clumps.
Just a little something for you to chew on next time you have a bowl or cereal!
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