(a) What is surface tension? (b) State two methods by which the surface tension of a liquid can be reduced.
Question 1 Report
(a) What is surface tension?
(b) State two methods by which the surface tension of a liquid can be reduced.
Answer Details
(a) Surface tension
Surface tension is the property of the free surface of a liquid by which it behaves like a stretched elastic membrane, tending to contract to the smallest possible area. It is measured as the force acting at right angles per unit length along a line drawn in the surface: \[ \gamma = \frac{F}{L} \] with S.I. unit newton per metre (N m-1). It arises from the net inward cohesive pull on molecules at the surface.
(b) Two methods of reducing surface tension
- Adding a detergent, soap or other surface-active impurity to the liquid.
- Raising the temperature of the liquid.
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