Surface Tension Formula - Definition, Causes, Examples

Surface Tension Formula is an interesting physics phenomena that appears at the interface between two immiscible liquids or between a liquid and a gas. Intermolecular forces that are present at a liquid's surface cause it to behave as though an invisible, elastic film were covering it. This effect gives rise to several intriguing behaviours and effects that have real-world implications

What is Surface Tension Formula ?

What Are The Causes Of Surface Tension?

Also Check - Unit, Dimension And Vector Formula

• F is the force per unit length
• L is the length in which force act
• T is the surface tension of the liquid

Also Check - Work, Energy & Power Formula

Unit of Surface Tension Formla

Download PDF Surface Tension Formula

Dimension of Surface Tension Formula

Also Check - Thermodynamics Formula

Examples of Surface Tension Formula

1. Water droplets on a surface: Water droplets on a surface tend to form spherical shapes due to surface tension. This is why water droplets on a car's windshield or a plant leaf are usually rounded.
2. Capillary action: In small places, like the capillaries of plants, surface tension enables liquids to defy gravity. This explains how water can ascend a small tube, such as the stem of a plant or a thin straw.
3. Insects walking on water: Due to surface tension, some insects, such as water striders, may move across the water's surface. The cohesive forces between water molecules prevent their legs from penetrating the water's surface.
4. Soap bubbles: Surface tension is what gives soap bubbles their spherical shape. The soap molecules reduce surface tension at the interface between air and water, allowing bubbles to form.
5. Needle floating on water: Due to surface tension, objects like paper clips and sewing needles can float if they are positioned carefully on the surface of water. The weight of the object is supported by the surface tension.
6. Meniscus in a graduated cylinder: When you pour water into a graduated cylinder, you might notice a curved surface at the top of the water. This is due to surface tension and adhesive forces between the water and the walls of the cylinder.
7. Raindrop formation: Surface tension plays a role in the formation of raindrops. As water droplets condense in clouds, they combine and form larger drops due to surface tension.
8. Liquid mercury beads: Mercury beads up into small, round droplets due to its high surface tension. This property makes it useful in some scientific and industrial applications.
9. Formation of dew: Surface tension is involved in the formation of dew on grass and other surfaces. As warm air cools down at night, water vapor in the air condenses into tiny droplets on surfaces, clinging due to surface tension.
10. Floating and water straining by certain materials: Some small insects, like water spiders, weave silk that traps air and forms a sort of "bubble" around them. This trapped air, held by surface tension, helps them float on the water's surface while they hunt for prey.

How to Calculate Surface Tension Formula?

• F = 7 N
• L = 2 m