surface tension
"Surface tension" is a crucial concept in physics that explains why liquids form droplets and why certain objects can float on water.
🇺🇸 US Voice:
🇬🇧 UK Voice:
Definition
B2General Physics
(technical, academic)The property of a liquid that makes its surface act like a stretched elastic membrane, caused by the cohesive forces between liquid molecules.
Example
- Surface tension allows small insects to walk on water without sinking.
- A droplet of water forms a nearly spherical shape due to surface tension.
C1Fluid Mechanics
(technical, academic)The measure of the energy required to increase the surface area of a liquid due to the imbalance of intermolecular forces at the surface.
Example
- The surface tension of water is higher than that of most other liquids.
- Adding soap to water reduces its surface tension, allowing it to spread more easily.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "surface tension":