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Chapter 11: Problem 10

What is surface tension?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Surface tension is the property of a liquid surface to resist an external force, due to the cohesive nature of its molecules. It causes the surface of a liquid to behave like an elastic sheet, enabling phenomena such as floating of certain objects on the water surface.

Step by step solution

01

Definition

Surface tension is a phenomenon in which the surface of a liquid, where the liquid is in contact with a gas, acts like a thin elastic sheet. This occurs because the molecules at the surface of the liquid are attracted to the molecules within the liquid causing a 'tension' to form at the surface.
02

Physics Explanation

In the body of a liquid, molecules are pulled equally in all directions by their neighboring molecules, causing a net force of zero. However, at the surface, molecules are pulled inwards by other molecules deeper within the liquid and not so much from above, which results in a net inward force. This force is what causes the phenomenon known as surface tension and it gives the surface of the liquid properties similar to an elastic sheet.
03

Example

A tangible example of surface tension is the ability of certain objects, like a sewing needle, to float on the surface of water even though the object is denser than the water. This is because of the tension created on the surface by the water's molecules.

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