Why is interfacial tension lower than surface tension?

[bestfmuzik]

Clarification on surface and interfacial tension?
Interfacial tensions are less than surface tensions...
The reason given in book is :-
because the adhesive forces between two liquid phases forming an interface are greater than when a liquid and a gas phase exist together.

I don't understand this ...Why interfacial tension is low ...?

 

[Andy Resnick]

Clarification on surface and interfacial tension?
Interfacial tensions are less than surface tensions...
The reason given in book is :-
because the adhesive forces between two liquid phases forming an interface are greater than when a liquid and a gas phase exist together.

I don't understand this ...Why interfacial tension is low ...?

'Interfacial energy' is often used interchangeably with 'surface tension'. Strictly speaking, 'surface tension' refers to the interface between a substance and vacuum- in this sense, it's a limit.

Interfacial energy can be low (wetting), high (partial wetting or nonwetting), and even negative (diffusion).