Abstract
Recent measurements show that the free surfaces of liquid metals and alloys are always layered, regardless of composition and surface tension; a result supported by three decades of simulations and theory. Recent theoretical work claims, however, that at low enough temperatures the free surfaces of all liquids should become layered, unless preempted by bulk freezing. Using x-ray reflectivity and diffuse scattering measurements we show that there is no observable surface-induced layering in water at T=298 K, thus highlighting a fundamental difference between dielectric and metallic liquids. The implications of this result for the question in the title are discussed.
Highlights
Recent measurements show that the free surfaces of liquid metals and alloys are always layered, regardless of composition and surface tension; a result supported by three decades of simulations and theory
Using x-ray reflectivity and diffuse scattering measurements we show that there is no observable surface-induced layering in water at Tϭ298 K, highlighting a fundamental difference between dielectric and metallic liquids
For the liquid-vapor interface it is tempting to think that the large surface tension ␥ of liquid metals such as Hg (␥Ϸ500 mN/m), Ga (␥Ϸ750 mN/m), and In (␥Ϸ550 mN/m) might be the explanation for the SL observed at their surface
Summary
Recent measurements show that the free surfaces of liquid metals and alloys are always layered, regardless of composition and surface tension; a result supported by three decades of simulations and theory. That at low enough temperatures the free surfaces of all liquids should become layered, unless preempted by bulk freezing.
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