Interfacial Tension

The molecules in a fluid attract each other; these are called cohesive forces. The forces on a single molecule in the body of the fluid are the same in all directions and therefore cancel. However, at the surface of the fluid there is an imbalance, and there is a net force on the molecules at the surface. The effect is as if the surface were covered with a thin elastic film in tension. The tension force across a line of unit length in the surface gives the magnitude of the interfacial tension; interfacial tension can therefore be expressed as a force per unit length, or in units: N/m. ymbol: . Interfacial Energy !onsider the wor" done in extending a fluid surface:

D y A

C F x B

# force $ is applied over the distance x to extend the rectangle from #%!& to #%'!'&. The force is $ ( .y; the wor" done )increase of energy* to create the area x.y is: + ( $.x ( .y.x o interfacial tension is also e,uivalent to a urface -nergy per unit area.

Excess Pressure +hen a curved surface forms, pressure is higher on the concave side of the surface. $or a spherical drop of radius ., excess pressure matches interfacial tension force: /excess ..0 ( 0.... 2 Pexcess = R -xcess pressure is defined in general by: 1 1 Pexcess = R + R 1 2 .1 and .0 are radii of curvature of surface in two perpendicular directions.

P+ Pexcess P

Fluid/Solid Interface !ohesive forces 2 amongst fluid molecules. #dhesive forces 2 between fluid and solid. 3f !ohesion 4 #dhesion then fluid spreads )wetting, e.g. water on glass*. 3f !ohesion 5 #dhesion then fluid retreats )non2wetting, e.g. mercury on glass*. !ontact #ngle #t li,uid/gas interfaces, the struggle between cohesion and adhesion affects the contact angle.

Gas Liquid
467 8 +etting

Gas Liquid
567 8 Non2wetting

Interfacial Tension Measurement

Capillary Rise Measurement (or Fall if non-wetting)

d h
3nterfacial tension supports li,uid cylinder of length h, diameter d. 3ts weight is: d2 W = hg 4 Total interfacial force is ..d. 9ertical component is ..d.cos. -,uating force to weight: gdh = 4 cos Tube diameter normally 12: mm. !apillary and fluids must be exceptionally clean. 3mpurities tend to gather at interfaces. ;se travelling microscope to measure h and . 3t is difficult to measure accurately Drop Weight Method <i,uid flows very slowly from capillary. +hen weight of li,uid exceeds interfacial tension force, drop falls off. +eigh drop, +, hence calculate :
= W d

!orrection is re,uired to allow for non2vertical li,uid surface at brea"away. Ring Pull Method # platinum wire ring is pulled slowly above surface. 3nterfacial tension holds li,uid film to ring. +hen force $ exceeds interfacial tension, the li,uid film brea"s. #t brea"ing point, $ ( 0..d. as the film has two sides so F = 2d $orce is measured with &u Nouy tensiometer. !leanliness is important but easier to achieve. !orrections re,uired for incomplete wetting of ring and inner/outer diameter difference.

F d