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The isoperimetric inequality bounds enclosed volume in terms of boundary size. In the plane it gives $4\pi A\le L^2$, with equality for disks; higher-dimensional forms bound the boundary area of a region of prescribed volume.

For a regular isoperimetric constraint, introduce a constant Lagrange multiplier $\lambda$ and set $L=F-\lambda G$. With fixed endpoint values, the Euler-Lagrange equation isIf $F$ and $G$ have no explicit $x$ dependence, the Beltrami identity gives the first integralThe regularity assumption excludes the exceptional case in which the constraint itself has zero first variation for every admissible perturbation.

Parametrize the surface of revolution by $r(z,\theta )=(f(z)\cos \theta ,f(z)\sin \theta ,z)$. The magnitude of $r_z\times r_{\theta }$ is $f\sqrt{1+f^{\prime 2}}$. Integrating the resulting surface area element over $\theta$, and integrating the circular cross-sectional areas for the volume, givesHere $f\ge 0$ because it is a radius. For a regular connected closed surface, take $f>0$ in the interior; the closing endpoints can have unbounded $f^{\prime }$ even when the surface itself is smooth.

After dividing $A-\lambda V$ by $\pi$, its integrand is $L=2f\sqrt{1+f^{\prime 2}}-\lambda f^2$. The Euler-Lagrange equation and Beltrami identity becomeAs $f$ tends to zero at an endpoint, $0\le 2f/\sqrt{1+f^{\prime 2}}\le 2f$ also tends to zero, so $C=0$. On the positive interior this implies $\lambda >0$ and, writing $R=2/\lambda$,The Euler-Lagrange equation also yields $f^{\prime \prime }=-R^2/f^3$. Thereforeincluding at the maximum where $f^{\prime }=0$. Integrating and using the first integral givesThus the regular extremal is a sphere. The two zeros fix its center and radius:Equivalently, the prescribed volume fixes $R=(3V/(4\pi ){)}^{1/3}$. If $a,b$ are fixed in advance, their separation and the prescribed volume must be compatible with these equations; there is no positive regular stationary profile of the stated type for an incompatible volume.

For minimality, the three-dimensional isoperimetric inequality states that every sufficiently regular closed surface enclosing volume $V$ haswith equality precisely for a sphere. Our extremal has $A=4\pi R^2$ and $V=4\pi R^3/3$, so it attains equality and is a global minimum of area at the fixed volume. This also makes clear the connected-surface assumption behind uniqueness: allowing several disconnected components introduces stationary collections of spheres, rather than the single positive generating profile used here.

For a normal constrained extremal, introduce a constant Lagrange multiplier and use $L=F-\lambda G$. The Euler-Lagrange equation isWhen both integrands have no explicit $x$ dependence, the Beltrami identity gives $L-y^{\prime }{L}_{y^{\prime }}=\text{constant}$, as follows by differentiating this expression and using the Euler-Lagrange equation.

Parametrize the surface by $(f(z)\cos \theta ,f(z)\sin \theta ,z)$. The cross product of its two coordinate tangents has magnitude $f\sqrt{1+(f^{\prime }{)}^2}$, so integration in $\theta$ gives $A=2\pi {\int }_a^{b}f\sqrt{1+(f^{\prime }{)}^2}dz$. Integrating the cross-sectional disk areas gives $V=\pi {\int }_a^b{f}^{2}dz$.

Dividing the augmented functional $A-\lambda V$ by $\pi$, useThe Euler-Lagrange equation isThe Beltrami identity becomes $2f/\sqrt{1+(f^{\prime }{)}^2}-\lambda f^2=C$. At an endpoint $f\to 0$, the absolute value of the first term is at most $2f$, so $C=0$, even if the profile has an infinite endpoint slope. For a nondegenerate regular closed surface take $f>0$ on $(a,b)$. Then $\lambda >0$, and, with $R=2/\lambda$,Combining this identity with the Euler-Lagrange equation yields $f^{\prime \prime }=-R^2/f^3$. Consequently $(f^2{)}^{\prime \prime }=2((f^{\prime }{)}^2+f{f}^{\prime \prime })=-2$. The two zero endpoint values uniquely determineThe positive radius profile is therefore a semicircle and generates a sphere, centred at height $(a+b)/2$, with radius $R=(b-a)/2$. In particularThe graph is smooth in the interior; its vertical slopes at the two poles are compatible with a smooth spherical surface. Its volume is $4\pi R^3/3$, the volume associated with this stationary candidate.

For minimality, the three-dimensional isoperimetric inequality says that every closed surface enclosing volume $V$ has $A^3\ge 36\pi V^2$, with equality for a sphere. The displayed extremal attains equality, proving that it minimizes area at its fixed enclosed volume. The uniqueness above concerns the regular connected positive profile with the two stated endpoint heights.

This is the planar case of the isoperimetric inequality. Every bounded planar domain with a sufficiently regular boundary of length $L$ and area $A$ satisfiesEquality holds exactly for circular domains.

For a liquid interface with constant surface tension $\gamma$, the mechanical surface energy is the energy associated with its surface area $A$:The additive constant $C$ does not affect the work needed to change surface area. For several interfaces with the same surface tension, $A$ means their total surface area; the two faces of a thin soap film must both be counted. ^[ref]

With assumed $\gamma =0.072\mathrm{N}{\mathrm{m}}^{-1}$, creating $1\mathrm{c}{\mathrm{m}}^2=10^{-4}{\mathrm{m}}^2$ of one interface requires $7.2\mu \mathrm{J}$ of reversible work. In the sliding-rim example illustrated under surface tension, moving a $20\mathrm{mm}$ rim outwards by $1\mathrm{mm}$ creates $4.0\times 10^{-5}{\mathrm{m}}^2$ across the two faces and requires $2.88\mu \mathrm{J}$. Independently, multiplying its $2.88\mathrm{mN}$ holding force by the displacement gives the same work.

This makes the preference for a round isolated droplet precise. At fixed volume $V$, the three-dimensional isoperimetric inequality giveswith equality for a sphere. Thus a sphere minimizes surface energy among sufficiently regular closed shapes enclosing the same volume, when surface tension is uniform and other energy contributions are negligible. This is an application of the isoperimetric inequality, rather than a proof of it. Walls, wetting, and gravity can change the shape by adding constraints or other energy contributions. ^[ref]

The differential rule $d{E}_{\mathrm{s}}=\gamma dA$ integrates directly to $E_{\mathrm{s}}=\gamma A+C$ because surface tension is constant. At fixed liquid volume, decreasing surface area can drive viscous fluid flow; the released surface energy can supply viscous dissipation. This mechanical bookkeeping is useful for predicting which deformations can release energy. If surface tension depends on temperature or composition, distinguish this mechanical area-work relation from the complete interfacial thermodynamic free energy and internal energy.