Explain the term surface tension. from Chemistry States of Matt

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160.

Explain the term surface tension.


To understand it, consider a molecule ‘M’ somewhere within the bulk of a liquid. It is attracted equally in all directions by the surrounding molecules. Hence, the net force of attraction acting on the molecule M is zero. However, a molecule ‘N’ on the surface of a liquid is attracted only by the molecules below and beside it and experiences a net downward attractive force. Thus, all molecules lying on the surface of liquid experience a net inward pull. This force which exerts an inward pull on the surface of a liquid and therefore, tends to keep the surface to a minimum is called surface tension. The liquid



thus behaves as if it were in a state of tension or strain. Thus, surface tension can be defined as the force acting at right angles to the surface along a unit length of the surface. As surface tension tends to keep the surface area of a liquid to the minimum due to inward pull, therefore, if the surface area of a liquid is to be increased, some work has to be done against this inward pull. Hence, surface tension may also be defined as a measure of work that must be done to expand the surface of a liquid by unit area. Surface tension is generally represented by γ and is expressed is Jm–2 (Joules/m2) or Nm–1 (Newton/m).
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