1.3.3. Surface Tension

Try these first

1. 1.

   What is surface tension?

   Hint

   Think of why raindrops are round.

2. 2.

   Name a common example of surface tension.

   Hint

   Consider creatures that can walk on liquid.

3. 3.

   What is surface tension?

   • A force on the liquid surface
   • The weight of liquid
   • A chemical property

   Hint

   Remember the elastic skin analogy.

4. 4.

   True or False: Capillarity occurs in all types of tubes equally.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Think about tube diameter.

5. 5.

   Calculate the height of a liquid column that rises in a capillary tube with a diameter of 2mm and surface tension of 0.072 N/m.

   Hint

   Convert units carefully, and use appropriate density.

6. 6.

   Discuss how varying the contact angle affects the capillary rise in a tube.

   Hint

   Consider the relationship between adhesive and cohesive forces.