What does this experiment show?

[Topher]

My physics teacher explained an experiment to the class and asked us to find out what it measures, what rules - if any apply, and how that relates to things in real life This is the experiment..


A tank is filled with water and ditergent is added to it and stirred around.

Differant shapes are made using copper wire but they all have the same area.
A 2nd set of shapes is formed this time with a different area.
The shapes are circle, square, triangle and trapazoid.


Each of the shapes are put into the tank and then removed and then a stop watch counts the number of seconds before, the bubble that is formed pops. This is repeated a number of times and then the 2nd set of shapes with a different area are put threw the same steps.

Now the question is that i don't quite understand... is what is this measuring?? is it surface tention? or what? could someone please explain this to me and mainly the what rules - if any apply, and how that relates to things in real life.

Thank you heaps for you help


Topher

 

[amwbonfire]

I don't know if I can help much - I don't know what you've learned (so I can't know for show the things this could be asking.)

Here's some hints though:

You're measuring surface tension, correct.

Think about this: The prac is asking you to compare shapes all with the same area, and then compare shapes with different area.

Maybe try doing the experiment, and then having a look at your results. Something might jump out at you then.

When you've got the results, post them here and I'll try and offer a few more hints. (These forums are for help only, not doing questions for people. )

 

[Topher]

hahah hints only ok i get you well thank you when i get these results i will post them and you can try and help me understand them more

thanks for you help