Surface Tension

 It is the liquid property that creates the

capability of resisting tension at the interface
between two different liquids or at the interface
between a liquid and a gas.
 Cohesion : molecular attraction between the
molecules of the same material. Forms an
imaginary film capable of resisting tensile stress
at the interface.
 adhesion : molecular attraction between the
molecules of the liquid and the solid surface
which is in contact with the liquid.
 Capillarity is due to cohesion and adhesion
 Surface Tension Coefficient

 Surface tension coefficient defined by:

σ = force/unit length (SI units N/m)

 For water, σ = 0.073 N/m (@ 20oC)

typically but decreases with an increase
in temperature
 Surface Tension
Capillary Rise in a Tube
 Capillary head held in place by
surface tension
 Weight of column of fluid = (πd2/4) h ρg
 Vertical component of surface tension = σ π d cosθ
 ∴ (πd2/4) h ρ g = σ π d cosθ
and h = 4 σ cosθ / (ρ g d)
(θ is the contact angle between liquid and solid)
Examples of Surface Tension