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

AI Thread Summary
Increasing surface tension in a liquid causes the surface molecules to be drawn more strongly toward the center, resulting in a decrease in surface area without a change in volume. This phenomenon occurs because liquids, like water, are nearly incompressible, meaning their density remains constant despite changes in surface tension. The discussion highlights a common misconception that stronger intermolecular forces would lead to a decrease in volume, which is not the case for incompressible liquids. The focus is on understanding the relationship between surface tension, surface area, and volume in liquids. Overall, the properties of incompressible liquids play a crucial role in these observations.
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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