- #1
DM
- 161
- 0
Hello everyone,
I would like to challange any competent physicist to tell me in simple terms what surface tension really is. There seems to be an abundant number of websites, not to mention a few books, that are simply too vague and unnecessarily difficult at attempting to explain this topic.
When explicitly focusing on how the "film" or "skin" coating is formed in the surface area of a water liquid due to the cohesion or attraction of molecules, how does it really form?
Some physicists employ the use of "the attraction forces between balk molecules and surface area molecules creates a tension". Does this tell me how the surface tension is formed? can it ever be rationalized by simply stating there's a tension? tension in what sense?
Others go further at saying "All of the molecules at the surface are subject to an inward force of molecular attraction which can be balanced only by the resistance of the liquid to compression."
So, the molecules are contracted inwards or to the centre of the liquid, causing an imbalance in forces, and in order to balance them, you have to compress the liquid? So what happens if you don't compress the liquid? Will the water magically reduce in volume due to the resultant force?
Or is it, it can only be balanced by the liquid not compressing at all? ("resistance")
I would like to challange any competent physicist to tell me in simple terms what surface tension really is. There seems to be an abundant number of websites, not to mention a few books, that are simply too vague and unnecessarily difficult at attempting to explain this topic.
When explicitly focusing on how the "film" or "skin" coating is formed in the surface area of a water liquid due to the cohesion or attraction of molecules, how does it really form?
Some physicists employ the use of "the attraction forces between balk molecules and surface area molecules creates a tension". Does this tell me how the surface tension is formed? can it ever be rationalized by simply stating there's a tension? tension in what sense?
Others go further at saying "All of the molecules at the surface are subject to an inward force of molecular attraction which can be balanced only by the resistance of the liquid to compression."
So, the molecules are contracted inwards or to the centre of the liquid, causing an imbalance in forces, and in order to balance them, you have to compress the liquid? So what happens if you don't compress the liquid? Will the water magically reduce in volume due to the resultant force?
Or is it, it can only be balanced by the liquid not compressing at all? ("resistance")