What is mean by surface tension in chemistry?

Definition of surface tension

: the attractive force exerted upon the surface molecules of a liquid by the molecules beneath that tends to draw the surface molecules into the bulk of the liquid and makes the liquid assume the shape having the least surface area.

What is surface tension and example?

surface tension, property of a liquid surface displayed by its acting as if it were a stretched elastic membrane. This phenomenon can be observed in the nearly spherical shape of small drops of liquids and of soap bubbles. Because of this property, certain insects can stand on the surface of water.

Why is surface tension important in chemistry?

Surface tension is responsible for the curvature of the surfaces of air and liquids. Surface tension is responsible for the ability of some solid objects to “float” on the surface of a liquid. Surface tension is responsible for the shape of the interface between two immiscible liquids.

What is surface tension and its SI unit?

The SI unit of Surface Tension is Newton per Meter or N/m.

What is surface tension in simple terms?

Surface tension is an effect where the surface of a liquid is strong. The surface can hold up a weight, and the surface of a water droplet holds the droplet together, in a ball shape. Some small things can float on a surface because of surface tension, even though they normally could not float.

What causes surface tension?

The surface tension arises due to cohesive interactions between the molecules in the liquid. At the bulk of the liquid, the molecules have neighboring molecules on each side. Molecules are pulling each other equally in all directions causing a net force of zero.

What is surface tension give its unit class 11?

Surface tension is the property of any liquid by virtue of which tries to minimize its free surface area. Surface tension of a liquid is measured as the force acting per length on an imaginary line drawn tangentially on the free surface the liquid. Surface tension S = Force/Length = F/l = Work done/Change in area.

What is Cbse 9th surface tension?

Surface tension is the tendency of fluid surfaces to shrink into the minimum surface area possible. The surface tension can be determined by the difference of interactions between the molecules of the material (fluid) with the molecules of the material in contact.

Why the surface tension is also called surface energy?

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, it is common to use the term surface energy, which is a more general term in the sense that it applies also to solids.

What is surface tension write its SI chapter?

The force per unit length perpendicular to a line drawn in the surface of the liquid is the surface tension. Its SI unit is newtons per metre, and its CGS unit is dynes per centimetre. The dimensions are MT−2.

What is surface tension write its dimension?

The unbalance cohesive force per unit length is known as surface tension or it is also defined as work done in an unit area. It’s Si unit is N/m and J/m². It’s dimension is M¹L^0T^-2., Krishna M. from Lucknow.

What is difference between surface and surface tension?

The main difference between surface tension and surface energy is that surface tension measures the force per unit length of the surface while surface energy measures the amount of work that needs to be done per unit area in order to stretch it.

What is difference between viscosity and surface tension?

However, viscosity results due to collaboration among molecules of the identical molecules located in the same material (in case of fluids). Whereas surface tension is determined by the difference of interactions between the molecules of the material (fluid) with the molecules of the material in contact.

Is surface energy and surface tension same?

We usually use surface tension when referring to liquids and surface energy when referring to solids, but in reality they are the same thing. Surface tension and surface energy are important because they are measurable numbers that tell us how strong the attraction between molecules is.

What are the effects of surface tension?

The surface tension effects act to resist the separation of the surfaces in the direction normal to the interfaces.

Is surface tension lowered by surfactants?

The surfactant reduces the surface tension of water by adsorbing at the liquid–gas interface. They also reduce the interfacial tension between oil and water by adsorbing at the liquid–liquid interface.

What is the relationship of surface tension?

The water molecules attract one another due to the water’s polar property. The hydrogen ends, which are positive in comparison to the negative ends of the oxygen cause water to “stick” together. This is why there is surface tension and takes a certain amount of energy to break these intermolecular bonds.

Is surface tension a cohesion or adhesion?

Cohesive forces
Cohesive forces are responsible for surface tension, a phenomenon that results in the tendency of a liquid’s surface to resist rupture when placed under tension or stress.

What are the uses of surface tension?

Industrial applications: Surface tension is an important factor in industrial processes. In all the industrial plants the R&D departments use the surface tension phenomena to improve the quality of the products. Many operations are used to improve the quality of the product such as detergent formulations.

What is another word for surface tension?

n. capillary action, interfacial surface tension, capillarity, interfacial tension.

What is surface tension in transpiration?

Transpiration is the loss of water from the plant through evaporation at the leaf surface. It is the main driver of water movement in the xylem. Transpiration is caused by the evaporation of water at the leaf–atmosphere interface; it creates negative pressure (tension) equivalent to –2 MPa at the leaf surface.

How does surface tension help transpiration?

According to the cohesion-tension theory, transpiration is the main driver of water movement in the xylem. It creates negative pressure (tension) equivalent to –2 MPa at the leaf surface. Water from the roots is ultimately pulled up by this tension.