1. What is Surface Tension?

Surface tension (γ) is the elastic tendency of a fluid surface which makes it acquire the least surface area possible. It's the energy required to increase the surface area of a liquid by a unit amount.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the surface tension formula:

Where:

• \( \gamma \) — Surface tension (N/m)
• \( F \) — Force applied (N)
• \( L \) — Length over which force acts (m)

Explanation: Surface tension is calculated as the ratio of the force acting perpendicular to a surface to the length along which the force acts.

3. Importance of Surface Tension

Details: Surface tension is crucial in phenomena like capillary action, formation of droplets, insect locomotion on water, and industrial processes like coating and printing.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter force in newtons (N) and length in meters (m). Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are typical surface tension values?
A: Water at 20°C has γ ≈ 0.0728 N/m, mercury ≈ 0.465 N/m, and ethanol ≈ 0.0223 N/m.

Q2: How does temperature affect surface tension?
A: Surface tension generally decreases with increasing temperature as molecular kinetic energy increases.

Q3: What is the unit of surface tension?
A: The SI unit is newton per meter (N/m), equivalent to joules per square meter (J/m²).

Q4: How is surface tension measured experimentally?
A: Common methods include the Wilhelmy plate, du Noüy ring, and capillary rise techniques.

Q5: What factors affect surface tension?
A: Temperature, dissolved substances, and the nature of the liquid all affect surface tension.