Working on the LA Times clue “__ effect: phenomenon of attraction in fluid mechanics, familiarly”? Below you’ll find solver-friendly hints, a spoiler-safe reveal, and a plain-English explainer of the physics behind the term. For daily help and archives, visit Clue of the Day.
Hints (no spoilers)
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Why “CHEERIOS” Fits This Clue
In fluid mechanics, small floating objects can attract (or repel) one another due to the way each object bends the liquid’s surface. This creates meniscus gradients that yield tiny capillary forces. The everyday demonstration is cereal pieces drifting together in milk—hence the colloquial label “Cheerios effect.”
Two factors set the stage: surface tension and buoyancy. Each floating piece sinks ever so slightly, curving the surface around it; neighboring pieces “prefer” to sit on similar slopes, so they creep together. You also see it when bubbles cluster or when small particles hug the side of a glass—the wall fixes the meniscus, creating a stable “harbor.”
Why is this a fair crossword entry? The clue’s wording says “familiarly,” which signals a nickname rather than a formal technical term. Editors use this to guide you away from jargon (“capillary attraction”) and toward the widely used pop-science name: CHEERIOS. Crossings typically confirm the common letters and the recognizable brand.
As a solving tip, when you see science clues with “familiarly,” try to think of playful classroom or outreach terms (e.g., “Goldilocks zone,” “butterfly effect,” “Cheerios effect”). These often resolve to accessible, brand- or culture-linked words rather than textbook vocabulary.
Strategy: Decode the Register
The double cue of “phenomenon” (science) + “familiarly” (informal label) narrows the search space. Start with likely everyday analogies for the described effect, then test candidate words against crossings. Recognizable brands or metaphors are often the intended targets for broadly accessible science clues.
