Surface area of a beaker of water w/ surface tension?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the maximum surface area of water in a beaker, considering the effects of surface tension while determining Avogadro's constant using a fatty acid monolayer. The user reports discrepancies in their calculations, yielding a value of approximately 1.3 x 10^23, which is significantly lower than expected. They highlight the challenge posed by the curved surface of the water due to overfilling the beaker, noting that the lab guidelines lack clarity on how to account for this curvature. The user seeks a formula to accurately incorporate surface tension into their calculations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of surface tension in liquids
  • Familiarity with Avogadro's constant and its significance in chemistry
  • Basic knowledge of fatty acid monolayers and their properties
  • Experience with laboratory measurement techniques and error analysis
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the Young-Laplace equation to understand how surface tension affects curvature
  • Explore methods for calculating the surface area of liquids with curved surfaces
  • Study the effects of fatty acid monolayers on surface tension and their implications in experiments
  • Investigate common sources of error in laboratory measurements related to Avogadro's constant
USEFUL FOR

Chemistry students, laboratory technicians, and researchers involved in experimental design and analysis, particularly those working with surface tension and molecular constants.

BCarlson85508
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So I'm working on a chemistry lab determining Avogadro's constant with a fatty acid monolayer on a beaker of water, and my calculations are all work out to around 1.3*10^23 (ie a sixth of what they should be). The lab said "fill the beaker with water until it spills over". In doing so, I ended up with a large curve in the surface of the water. However, the lab guidelines don't explain any way to account for that (I assume they wanted the water at 90° to the beaker).

Does anyone know of a formula to find the maximum surface area of water that includes the effects of surface tension? The surface tension is the only error I can think of that can be fixed in my report (other stuff, like adding too many drops stearic acid I'm stuck with...).
 
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No idea about formula, but my guesstimate is that it won't change the surface by more than small single percents (if not even less). No chances for getting your result really closer to NA.
 

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