2006-12-14 09:09:40 · 8 answers · asked by Harold T 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Surface tension is the 'skin' you speak of. It can and has been measured. It can change and is dependent upon what is in the water. If I remember correctly, it is determined by measuring the angle of water : substrate interface of a water droplet. Can't remember the technique...
2006-12-15 04:53:34 · answer #1 · answered by Clare M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, a meniscus is the curved shape of the surface of the water caused by air pressure and gravity. The effect you're after is surface tension and is the reason why insects, or even needles, can float on water. That's all I know, though I am not sure that it has ever been measured.
2006-12-14 09:35:08 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes, it is surface tension and all liquids have it.
Surface tension is caused by the attraction between the molecules of the liquid by various intermolecular forces. In the bulk of the liquid each molecule is pulled equally in all directions by neighboring liquid molecules, resulting in a net force of zero. At the surface of the liquid, the molecules are pulled inwards by other molecules deeper inside the liquid but they are not attracted as intensely by the molecules in the neighbouring medium (be it vacuum, air or another liquid). Therefore all of the molecules at the surface are subject to an inward force of molecular attraction which can be balanced only by the resistance of the liquid to compression. Thus the liquid squeezes itself together until it has the locally lowest surface area possible.
Another way to think about it is that a molecule in contact with a neighbor is in a lower state of energy than if it weren't in contact with a neighbor. The interior molecules all have as many neighbors as they can possibly have. But the boundary molecules have fewer neighbors than interior molecules and are therefore in a higher state of energy. For the liquid to minimize its energy state, it must minimize its number of boundary molecules and therefore minimize its surface area
You can abolish it by adding some "soap" to the aqueous solution:
place some water in a basin and genlty let something "light" lie on the "water skin". Then add a drop of soap and see the object sink!
2006-12-15 06:45:39 · answer #3 · answered by Jesus is my Savior 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is around 72 mN/m for pure water in air.
2006-12-15 08:17:55 · answer #4 · answered by beernutuk 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you mean surface tension?
If it's got skin on it, don't drink it.
2006-12-14 09:14:02 · answer #5 · answered by C T 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
surface tension
2006-12-14 09:39:24 · answer #6 · answered by huw 4x4 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sure.
If your talking about acne.
It helps.
2006-12-14 09:50:23 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
is it called meniscus?
2006-12-14 09:23:25 · answer #8 · answered by maduserid 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋