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The surface tension of water can be broken by adding dishwashing detergent to the water. This can be demonstrated by filling a bowl with water, then floating a needle in it. This may sound almost impossible, but it can be easily achieved by placing the needle on a tissue, then carefully floating it on the water. When the tissue sinks, the needle should remain on the surface. It is prevented from sinking by the water's surface tension. Carefully add one drop of dishwashing detergent, and the needle will sink. You can prove this was due to the surface tension being broken by trying to float the needle again. If you added enough detergent this should be impossible, as detergent acts as a wetting agent and breaks the surface tension.

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Is soap the only substance that can break the waters surface tension?

No, there are other substances that can break water's surface tension besides soap. Examples include detergent, alcohol, and vinegar. These substances are known as surfactants, which reduce the surface tension of water by interfering with the hydrogen bonding between water molecules.


How does surface tension change with increasing temperature?

as the temperature increase the molecular interaction between the liquids molecules are weaker, since hydrogen bond is the main factor for association between two molecules which are very weak bond, so it can be break easily when the temperature increase leading to decrease in surface tension


Measure of how difficult it is to stretch or break the surface of a liquid?

viscosity


What is any substance that interferes with the hydrogen bonding between water molecules and reduces surface tension?

A substance that interferes with the hydrogen bonding between water molecules and reduces surface tension is called a surfactant. Surfactants contain both hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts that break the cohesive forces between water molecules, thereby lowering surface tension. Examples of surfactants include detergents, soaps, and oils.


Which has more surface tension clean water or soapy water?

Yes, pure water is a one molecule based structure, which hold together better than a mixture. When soap or other chemical is added, it breaks surface tension by getting in the way of each water molecule. Try putting water drops on a penny to build a bubble, then add a small drop of soap to it, you'll see that when soap is added, the water bubble collapses.

Related Questions

Do weight and density play a big role in determining wether or not an object will break surface tension?

Yes, weight and density play a role in determining whether an object will break the surface tension of a liquid. Objects that are heavier or denser are more likely to break the surface tension, as they can exert a greater force on the liquid molecules. Lighter or less dense objects may not have sufficient force to break the surface tension of the liquid.


What is the term for how difficult it is to stretch or break the surface of a liquid?

Surface tension is the term used to describe the difficulty of stretching or breaking the surface of a liquid. It is caused by the cohesive forces between the liquid molecules at the surface.


What is surface tension coefficient?

Surface tension coefficient, also known as surface tension, is the force acting on the surface of a liquid that causes it to behave like a stretched elastic membrane. It is a measure of the strength of the attractive forces between molecules at the surface of a liquid. The higher the surface tension, the more difficult it is to break the surface of the liquid.


How do you break the surface tension?

Adding surfactants the surface tension decrease.


What makes a needle to float in water?

A needle can float on water due to surface tension. When the needle is carefully placed on the surface of the water, its weight is not enough to break the surface tension created by the water molecules, causing it to float.


Is soap the only substance that can break the waters surface tension?

No, there are other substances that can break water's surface tension besides soap. Examples include detergent, alcohol, and vinegar. These substances are known as surfactants, which reduce the surface tension of water by interfering with the hydrogen bonding between water molecules.


What causes the surface tension of soda to break?

The surface tension of soda can break due to the introduction of foreign substances, such as sugar, salt, or surfactants, which disrupt the cohesive forces between water molecules. Additionally, agitation, such as shaking or stirring, introduces energy that can overcome these cohesive forces. When bubbles form, as in carbonation, they can also disrupt the surface tension, leading to the release of gas and froth. Overall, any disturbance that alters the balance of intermolecular forces can break the surface tension.


How does surface tension change with increasing temperature?

as the temperature increase the molecular interaction between the liquids molecules are weaker, since hydrogen bond is the main factor for association between two molecules which are very weak bond, so it can be break easily when the temperature increase leading to decrease in surface tension


Measure of how difficult it is to stretch or break the surface of a liquid?

viscosity


How does floating razor sinks into water when you introduced dtergent in water?

When detergent is introduced into water, it disrupts the surface tension of the water. This lowers the surface tension enough that the razor is able to sink. The detergent molecules interfere with the cohesive forces between water molecules, causing the razor to break through the surface and sink.


Effect of impurities on surface tension of liqiud?

yes The presence of impurities either on the surface or dissolved in it, affect surface tension of the liquid. Highly soluble substances increase the surface tension of water, whereas sparingly soluble substances reduce the surface tension of water. The surface tension of a liquid decreases with increase in temperature. The surface tension of a liquid becomes zero at its boiling point and vanishes at critical temperature.


What is any substance that interferes with the hydrogen bonding between water molecules and reduces surface tension?

A substance that interferes with the hydrogen bonding between water molecules and reduces surface tension is called a surfactant. Surfactants contain both hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts that break the cohesive forces between water molecules, thereby lowering surface tension. Examples of surfactants include detergents, soaps, and oils.