Difference between revisions of "Surface tension"

Revision as of 15:54, 1 October 2012

Definition

Surface tension is a property of liquid surfaces caused by cohesion. Cohesion is the physical property resulting from the intermolecular forces attracting like-molecules. The molecules on the surface of a liquid have a greater attraction to like-molecules around them than to unlike-molecules.

Molecules on the surface of a liquid experience an inward force balanced by the resistance to compression. Another important point in understanding surface tension is the liquid molecules seek the lowest possible surface area. This is the reason that liquids form droplets on hydrophobic surfaces. The interface of lke-molecules has a lower energy than the interface of unlike-molecules, therefore surface molecules seek to have as many like-molecule interfaces as possible resulting in the lowest surface area.

Units

Surface tension (<math>\gamma</math>) has dimensions of force per unit length, <math>\frac{F} {L}</math>.

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cohesion_%28chemistry%29

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_tension

Keyword in references:

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The Deformation of an Elastic Substrate by a Three-Phase Contact Line E. R. Jerison

Thermodynamic deviations of the mechanical equilibrium conditions for fluid surfaces: Young's and Laplace's equations

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Wetting in Color: Colorimetric Differentiation of Organic Liquids with High Selectivity