SURFACE TENSION Meaning and
Definition
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Surface tension is a physical property of a liquid resulting from cohesive forces between its particles. It is defined as the attractive force exerted by the molecules at the surface of a liquid that causes it to behave as if it had a thin, elastic skin. This cohesive force is caused by the tendency of the molecules in the liquid to attract each other, producing a net inward pull at the surface.
Surface tension can be observed when a liquid droplet or a small object is placed on a liquid surface. The liquid droplet will try to minimize its surface area by forming a spherical shape due to the surface tension pulling the liquid droplet inward. Similarly, small objects such as paper clips or insects can float on water due to the surface tension.
The strength of surface tension is influenced by factors such as temperature and the nature of the liquid molecules. For example, water molecules exhibit a relatively high surface tension due to their strong cohesive forces. This is why water tends to form droplets and creates a curved shape in capillary tubes.
Surface tension plays a crucial role in various natural phenomena and industrial processes. It determines the behavior of fluids in capillary tubes, the formation of bubbles and oil spills, and the ability of certain insects or animals to walk on water. Understanding and manipulating surface tension is important for diverse applications, including the design of detergents, inkjet printing, and drug delivery systems.
Common Misspellings for SURFACE TENSION
- aurface tension
- zurface tension
- xurface tension
- durface tension
- eurface tension
- wurface tension
- syrface tension
- shrface tension
- sjrface tension
- sirface tension
- s8rface tension
- s7rface tension
- sueface tension
- sudface tension
- sufface tension
- sutface tension
- su5face tension
- su4face tension
- surdace tension
Etymology of SURFACE TENSION
The word "surface tension" has a straightforward etymology.
The term "surface" originated from the Latin word "superficies", which means "superficial" or "outer part". It further comes from the combination of "super", meaning "above" or "over", and "facies", meaning "face" or "appearance".
The word "tension" traces its roots back to the Latin word "tensio", derived from the verb "tendere", meaning "to stretch" or "to extend".
Therefore, the term "surface tension" combines these two words to describe the property or condition of a stretched or extended appearance at the surface of a liquid.
Similar spelling words for SURFACE TENSION
- surface fire,
- surface mail,
- surface area,
- surface lift,
- surface gauge,
- surface soil,
- surface gage,
- surface mine,
- surface noise,
- surface-mine,
- surface ship.
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