Physics question = Why is it impossible to pull a fluid?

?2011-10-25T07:43:10Z

Favorite Answer

Well...actually the gravitational field of the earth pulls the water against her crest...

But if you mean taking a pair of pincers and pulling water out of a bottle: that's impossible because the forces between the molecules (called cohesive forces) are just too weak.
A liquid where the cohesive forces are very strong is mercury. You can pick spilled mercury of the floor with a tool like a pair of pincers!

mr.obvious2011-10-25T14:33:28Z

I'm not sure, is it molecule tension or surface tension that holds the fluid together, or lower pressure on the leading-edge. I think water can be pulled 25' max but it can be pushed to the sky.

Sagar2011-10-25T14:46:12Z

fluids like air and water have weak inter molecular interactions compared to solids. low shear strength is a property of the fluid. unlike solids in which the shear increases when tangential force is applied till it breaks, fluids resist the shear force till a limit and then the shear motion continues even though the force remains constant.

Let'slearntothink2011-10-25T15:53:39Z

Because they have tendency to flow so nothing to hold and pull. nor all molecules stick togethr in same shape.