In a similar manner, the cells that bees make have a somewhat circular shape at first while the wax is still soft.

When the bubbles reach a certain number, they naturally change from spherical to hexagonal-faced structures as a more efficient way to fill the space. Yet researchers have pointed out that simple laws of physics may also be at work, citing the example of floating rafts of bubbles. In the past, this remarkable engineering feat was attributed mainly to the way bees evolved. Their hexagonal cells are nearly the exact same size with the same precise wall thickness across hives. The regular hexagon fits this requirement, allowing bees to fit the most cells into a honeycomb. Honeybees build their honeycombs with wax they produce, so they need a form that makes the most efficient use of this precious wax resource.

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