How Does Increased Surface Tension Affect Liquid Surface Area and Volume?

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SUMMARY

Increased surface tension in liquids, such as water, results in a decrease in surface area while maintaining constant volume. This phenomenon occurs because stronger attractive molecular forces pull surface molecules toward the center of mass, leading to a more compact surface configuration. The discussion clarifies that liquids are nearly incompressible, meaning their density remains largely unchanged despite variations in surface tension. This understanding challenges previous misconceptions about the relationship between intermolecular bonds and volume changes.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of surface tension and its effects on liquids
  • Knowledge of intermolecular forces and molecular attraction
  • Familiarity with the concept of incompressibility in liquids
  • Basic principles of fluid mechanics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the properties of incompressible fluids in fluid dynamics
  • Explore the relationship between surface tension and molecular structure
  • Study the effects of temperature on surface tension in various liquids
  • Learn about experimental methods to measure surface tension
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Students and professionals in chemistry, physics, and engineering, particularly those interested in fluid dynamics and molecular interactions.

Joseph Phan
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If you increase surface tension, the molecules at the surface are more strongly pulled into the center of mass due to the stronger attractive molecular forces.
-Why is it that when surface tension increases in a liquid, its surface decreases in area, but its volume does NOT change? (Volume remains constant)
-I thought that when when stronger intermolecular bonds were present, the volume would decrease (what I was taught from my general chemistry courses )
 
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Joseph Phan said:
If you increase surface tension, the molecules at the surface are more strongly pulled into the center of mass due to the stronger attractive molecular forces.
-Why is it that when surface tension increases in a liquid, its surface decreases in area, but its volume does NOT change? (Volume remains constant)
-I thought that when when stronger intermolecular bonds were present, the volume would decrease (what I was taught from my general chemistry courses )

I think you mean incompressible liquids. For example water. It is very hard to change the density of liquid water.
 
anorlunda said:
I think you mean incompressible liquids. For example water. It is very hard to change the density of liquid water.

Liquids, by typical definition, are very nearly incompressible (though certainly not actually incompressible).
 

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