Question
Download Solution PDFThe surface of a liquid acts like a stretched elastic membrane under tension. This is mainly due to _________.
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFConcept:
Surface Tension:
- When a liquid is exposed to the air, it behaves like a stretched membrane as the water molecules are attracted to each other. This property of liquid is also called Surface tension.
- At liquid-air interfaces, surface tension results from the attraction of water molecules to each other, which is a cohesive force, then to the molecules in the air, which is an adhesive/repulsive force.
- The combined effect of these two forces is an inward force at the surface of the liquid which causes the surface to behave as if it were covered with a stretched elastic membrane.
Hence, the phenomenon due to which the exposed liquid behaves like a stretched membrane is called surface tension.
Additional Information
- Surface tension has the dimension of force per unit length, or energy per unit area is only defined for Newtonian liquids.
- While cohesion and adhesion forces play a role in membrane formation, it is their combined effect which is called surface tension that is considered to be the cause of the formation of the stretched membrane.
- Capillary action is also an effect of surface tension that is only applicable to small tubes that contain liquids.
Last updated on Jul 1, 2025
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