Pay for newly created surface

One spherical liquid drop is divided into 216 equal spherical droplets. Liquid volume and uniform surface tension remain constant. Neglect evaporation, gravity-induced distortion and additional losses. Let the original drop’s surface energy be E₀.

What minimum increase in surface energy is required, expressed as a multiple of E₀?

Organize the givens & assumptions

216 equal droplets
Conserved liquid volume
Constant surface tension
One interface per drop

Static or initially equilibrated interfaces, constant uniform surface tension, negligible gravity-induced shape distortion where spherical or cylindrical curvature is specified, and negligible evaporation. Capillary heights use the narrow-tube model with equal gas pressures and a large reservoir.

A $35E_0$
B $5E_0$
C $6E_0$
D $215E_0$

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