Aqueous Tension vs. Vapor Pressure: What's the Difference?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the definitions and distinctions between "aqueous tension" and "vapor pressure" of water. Participants explore whether these terms are synonymous or if they refer to different concepts, with a focus on their implications in scientific contexts.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks clarification on the definition of aqueous tension and its relationship to vapor pressure.
  • Another participant suggests that aqueous tension may refer to the surface tension of an aqueous solution, questioning if this aligns with the original inquiry.
  • Some participants indicate that aqueous tension is an archaic term related to vapor pressure, but they do not provide definitive details.
  • A participant provides a definition of aqueous tension as the pressure exerted by water vapor above the surface when water and vapor are in equilibrium, equating it to vapor pressure.
  • There is speculation that the term "aqueous tension" may have been used historically before a complete understanding of vapor pressure was established.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether aqueous tension and vapor pressure are the same, with some asserting they are synonymous while others remain uncertain about the distinctions.

Contextual Notes

There is ambiguity regarding the historical usage of the term "aqueous tension" and its relevance in contemporary discussions of vapor pressure. Some definitions provided may depend on specific contexts or interpretations.

mishrashubham
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Like the title says; can anyone tell me what the correct definition of aqeous tension is? How is it different from vapour pressure of water if at all it is different?
 
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The only thing that makes sense to me is that it would refer to the surface tension of an aqueous solution. Does that definition make sense for your application?

As to what surface tension is (in case that is your question) .. start here:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_tension

and feel free to come back and ask questions if anything is not clear.
 
My first idea was it is a surface tension, but I did some googling and it looks like "aqueous tension" is some obscure term related to vapor pressure. But I can't offer any details.
 
Borek said:
My first idea was it is a surface tension, but I did some googling and it looks like "aqueous tension" is some obscure term related to vapor pressure. But I can't offer any details.

Concur; after some searching, it looks like it's an archaic term for the vapor pressure of water, as the OP suggested.
 
Yes, it looks like Borek and Mapes are correct .. as was the OP. I found this definition:

"Aqueous tension is the pressure exerted by the water vapor above the surface at any temperature where water and vapor are in equilibrium with each other. Hence it is called water vapor pressure. The value increases with the increase in temperature and it is equal to the atmospheric pressure at the boiling point of water. It is has to be deduced from observed pressure to know the actual pressure of the dry gas."

My suspicion is that it is an archaic term that was used before a full understanding of vapor pressure was realized, or at least standardized, and that it still persisted in usage even after it was obsolete (kind of like kcal :biggrin:). Anyway, http://books.google.com/books?id=cQ...6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q="aqueous tension"&f=false" shows its usage in context in a JACS paper from 1922.
 
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So it is after all the same thing as vapour pressure of water. Thanks to everyone for their replies.
 

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