Surface tension
Surface Tension
Surface tension (pronounced: /ˈsɜːrfɪs ˈtɛnʃən/) is a physical phenomenon that occurs at the interface between a liquid and a gas, where the liquid behaves like an elastic sheet. It is the result of the cohesive forces between liquid molecules.
Etymology
The term "surface tension" comes from the Latin words "superficies" meaning "surface" and "tensio" meaning "tension". It was first used in the early 19th century to describe the properties of liquids.
Definition
Surface tension is defined as the force that acts at the surface of a liquid, per unit length. It is measured in units of force per unit length (N/m in SI units), and it is often interpreted as the amount of force that the surface layer of a liquid can withstand before breaking.
Related Terms
- Cohesion: The intermolecular attraction between like-molecules. In the context of surface tension, it refers to the attraction between molecules of the same liquid.
- Adhesion: The attraction between different types of molecules. It is the phenomenon that causes a liquid to cling to the surface of a solid.
- Capillary action: The ability of a liquid to flow against gravity where liquid spontaneously rises in a narrow space such as a thin tube, or in porous materials. This effect can occur because of surface tension.
- Meniscus: The curve seen at the top of a liquid in response to its container. The meniscus can be either concave or convex, depending on the liquid and the surface of the container. This is also a result of surface tension.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Surface tension
- Wikipedia's article - Surface tension
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