Molecules present at surface of water have more kinetic energy
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The molecules in the surface of a liquid only have bonds with their neighbours below the surface whereas molecules in the bulk make bonds all around them.
Thus the binding energy of molecules in the surface is less than those in the bulk and so the potential energy of molecules in the surface is greater than those in the bulk.
As the liquid wants to minimise its potential energy it will try and reduce the number of surface molecules by reducing the area its surface area and thus reducing what you have called surface potential energy.
The (thermal) kinetic energy is due to the random movement and vibrations of liquid molecules and at equilibrium the average kinetic energy of all the molecules is the same - they are all at the same temperature.
Thus the binding energy of molecules in the surface is less than those in the bulk and so the potential energy of molecules in the surface is greater than those in the bulk.
As the liquid wants to minimise its potential energy it will try and reduce the number of surface molecules by reducing the area its surface area and thus reducing what you have called surface potential energy.
The (thermal) kinetic energy is due to the random movement and vibrations of liquid molecules and at equilibrium the average kinetic energy of all the molecules is the same - they are all at the same temperature.
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