Observing Change in Surface Tension with Wire Immersion

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on an experiment observing the effects of immersing a normal temperature wire in water containing floating particles like lycopodium and glitter. The user noted that the particles dispersed radially upon immersion, suggesting a potential change in surface tension or attraction forces between the particles and water molecules. The conversation highlights the sensitivity of interfacial energy in water to contamination, indicating that impurities on the wire could significantly influence the observed phenomena.

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  • Understanding of surface tension and interfacial energy
  • Familiarity with the properties of water and its interactions with contaminants
  • Basic knowledge of experimental physics and observation techniques
  • Experience with materials like lycopodium and glitter in scientific experiments
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  • Research the effects of contaminants on water's surface tension
  • Explore the principles of interfacial energy in liquid systems
  • Investigate the 2011 IYPT problem regarding hot wire immersion
  • Examine the behavior of particles in fluid dynamics
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Students and researchers in physics, particularly those interested in fluid dynamics, surface tension phenomena, and experimental design involving liquid interactions.

jangheej
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hi =D
i observed something interesting during the experiment.
i immersed a normal temperature wire in a chalet filled with water and particles (lycopodium, glitter) floating on the surface.
the original problem is to immerse a "hot" wire (2011 IYPT problem) but i was curious
what would happen if a normal wire was plunged.

Interestingly, the particles dispersed radially to an extent that doesn't seem to occur
simply due to the plunging motion.
So I am wondering if surface tension or any attraction force between particles and water molecules would change due to the immersion of wire.
What physical change is related to this? Any idea? =)
 
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The interfacial energy of water is incredibly sensitive to contamination. Crud on the wire could be sufficient to account for your observations.
 

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