why is it that When there is a small droplet on a phone the pixels of the screen can be seen

Given that the drop is small enough it produces a semi sphere on screen of liquid due to surface tension. This acts like a powerful convex lens for the light coming from pixels on the phone screen hence allowing the pixels to be seen by an observer due to this strong lensing effect. The lens is so powerful since the drop is so small hence a small radius which means it curves 'fast'. Hence the effect is so strong. When the drop is bigger the surface tension can no longer compensate for the weight of the drop and so drop becomes more flat like shape which takes away this curvature. Follow up question could be why surface tension causes drops to be sphere but this is likely beyond gcse required knowledge

AN
Answered by Adithya N. Physics tutor

1688 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Two identical objects have a charge of magnitude q. If r is the distance bethween them, what should their mass be so that the objects are balanced.


A skydiver is at a height of 10,000 m. Assuming no air resistance, how fast is the skydiver travelling at 9,990 m above the ground?


Why is the redshift important?


What is the difference between speed and velocity?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning