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For the work of fiction, see Surface Tension (short story). Continuum mechanics
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Surface tension [show]Scientists Newton · Stokes · Navier · Cauchy · Hooke · Bernoulli This box: view • talk • edit
Surface tension is a property of the surface of a liquid. It is what causes the surface portion of liquid to be attracted to another surface, such as that of another portion of liquid (as in connecting bits of water or as in a drop of Mercury that forms a cohesive ball).
Surface tension is caused by cohesion (the attraction of molecules to like molecules). Since the molecules on the surface of the liquid are not surrounded by like molecules on all sides, they are more attracted to their neighbors on the surface.
Applying Newtonian physics to the forces that arise due to surface tension accurately predicts many liquid behaviors that are so commonplace that most people take them for granted. Applying thermodynamics to those same forces further predicts other more subtle liquid behaviors.
Surface tension has the dimension of force per unit length, or of energy per unit area. The two are equivalent - but when referring to energy per unit of area, people use the term surface energy - which is a more general term in the sense that it applies also to solids and not just liquids.
In materials science, surface tension is used for either surface stress or surface free energy.
What else can I help you with?
What property of what gives it a strong surface tension?
Water forms hydrogen bonds, which gives it a strong surface tension.
What skin like surface is formed because of polar nature of water?
A thin layer of water molecules, known as the surface tension, forms on the surface due to the polar nature of water. This surface tension creates a "skin-like" surface that can support small objects, such as insects or paper clips, without breaking.
What does surface tension have to do wih floating?
Surface tension is the property of a liquid that allows it to resist external forces. When surface tension is strong enough, it can support the weight of certain objects on its surface, causing them to float. This is because the surface tension creates a "skin" on the surface of the water that can support the object's weight without sinking.
How does liquid soap affect the surface tension of water?
it affects the surface tension because of its temperture
What property's of water gives it a strong surface?
Water forms hydrogen bonds, which gives it a strong surface tension.
What forms bubbles surface tension?
Bubbles are formed due to a combination of surface tension and gas trapped in a liquid. The surface tension of the liquid causes the bubble to retain its spherical shape. When a gas is introduced into the liquid, the surface tension pulls the liquid molecules together around the gas to form the bubble.
Why does the raindrop fall on the water surface is round?
Raindrops are round when they hit water due to surface tension. Surface tension causes the water molecules to stick together and minimizes their surface area, which naturally forms a round shape. This spherical shape allows the raindrop to maintain equilibrium and stability on the water surface.
What is the effect of increase of temperature on surface tension?
An increase in temperature typically decreases surface tension in liquids. This is because higher temperature leads to increased molecular motion, which weakens the intermolecular forces responsible for surface tension.
What do you expect to see if the liquid surface tension is less than or equal to the critical surface tension of a surface?
If the liquid surface tension is less than or equal to the critical surface tension of a surface, you would expect the liquid to spread out and wet the surface. This is because the liquid will be able to overcome the cohesive forces holding it together and adhere to the surface.
Why is a substance able to flow?
Because of surface tension
Why do beads of water often?
Because of surface tension
What happens to the surface tension of a liquid when it is heated?
As a liquid is heated, its surface tension typically decreases. This is because the increased thermal energy disrupts the intermolecular forces at the surface of the liquid, causing the molecules to spread out and reducing the cohesive forces that create surface tension.
