PH 2020- Physics Laboratory II

Department of physics ,University of Colombo

GPL 211X
Determination of Surface tension of water at different temperature
by Jaeger's method

Name :S.R.Dinamithra

Index No : s13361

Registration No : 2016/s/15979

Group No : 08-B

Combination : P1

Lab Partner’s Name: W.K.Gayantha

 GPL 211x- Determination of surface tension of water at different temperatures by Jaeger's
method
PH 2020 - Physics laboratory II

Abstract
In this practical Surface tension of water was determined at different temperatures using Jaeger' s
method. Data was collected under different temperatures to know what happens to the surface tension
when changing temperature. A carefully placed small needle can be made to float on the surface of
water even though it is several times as dense as water. If the surface is agitated to break up the surface
tension, then needle will quickly sink is an example for a phenomenon of surface tension .The inversely
relationship of temperature and surface tension of water is identified through plotting graphs for the
values obtained from the practical.

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 GPL 211x- Determination of surface tension of water at different temperatures by Jaeger's
method
PH 2020 - Physics laboratory II

Table of Contents
Abstract ......................................................................................................................................................... 2
1.2 Contact Angle ...................................................................................................................................... 5
1.3 Jaeger's Method .................................................................................................................................. 5

2. Theory .............................................................................................................................................. 6
3. Apparatus and Accessories ....................................................................................................................... 7
4. Procedure .................................................................................................................................................. 8
5. Experimental Data..................................................................................................................................... 9
6.Data Analysis ............................................................................................................................................ 11
7. Error Analysis .......................................................................................................................................... 12
8. Final result............................................................................................................................................... 14
9. Discussion................................................................................................................................................ 15
10. Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................. 16
11. Reference .............................................................................................................................................. 16

List of Figures
Figure 1. 1:Adhesion and cohesion bonds .................................................................................................... 4
Figure 1. 2:surfaces of Hg and water ............................................................................................................ 5
Figure 1. 3:Illustration of contact angles formed by sessile liquid drops on a smooth homogeneous solid
surface........................................................................................................................................................... 5
Figure 2. 1:practical setup............................................................................................................................. 7

List of Table
Table 5. 1: Measurements of depth of the capillary in the water ................................................................ 9
Table 5. 2:Measurement of upper scratch of the liquid in beaker ............................................................... 9
Table 5. 3:Variation of liquid levels in the manometer liquid ...................................................................... 9
Table 5. 4:Density of water at different temperature ................................................................................ 10
Table 5. 5:surface tension of water with temperature.................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Table 6. 1: Surface tension of water with temperature .........................................................................11

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 GPL 211x- Determination of surface tension of water at different temperatures by Jaeger's
method
PH 2020 - Physics laboratory II

Table 8. 2: Temperature with surface tension ............................................................................................ 14

1. Introduction

At the interface between a liquid and a gas or between two immiscible liquids, forces developed
in the liquid surface that cause the surface to behave as if it were a "skin" or "membrane" stretched
over the fluid mass. Although such a skin is not actually present, this conceptual analogy allows us to
explain several commonly observed phenomena. For example a steel needle will float on water if
placed gently on the surface because the tension developed in the hypothetical skin supports the
needle. Small droplets of mercury will form into spheres when placed on a smooth surface because the
cohesive forces in the surface tend to hold all the molecules together in a compact shape. Similarly
discrete water droplets will form when placed on a newly waxed surface.

The molecules do not attract or repel each other when at large distances. But they attract when
at short distances. The force of attraction is said to be cohesive when it is effective between molecules
of the same type. But the force of attraction between molecules of different types is called adhesive
force.

Figure 1. 1:Adhesion and cohesion bonds

The reason of creating concave up and concave down surfaces in water and Hg is the adhesive
forces between the water molecules and the container's surface. When the cohesive force of the liquid
is stronger than the adhesive force of the liquid to the wall, the liquid concaves down in order to reduce
contact with the surface of the wall. When the adhesive force of the liquid to the wall is stronger than
the cohesive force of the liquid, the liquid is more attracted to the wall than its neighbors, causing the
upward concavity.

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 GPL 211x- Determination of surface tension of water at different temperatures by Jaeger's
method
PH 2020 - Physics laboratory II

Figure 1. 2:surfaces of Hg and water

1.2 Contact Angle

Contact angle is measured as the angle where a liquid or a vapor (but most often a liquid)
interacts with a solid surface. A high contact angle (pictured right) indicates that the surface has low
wetting - that is, the liquid droplet will not spread very much onto the surface. A low contact angle (left,
below) indicates that the surface is high wetting, meaning that the water droplet spreads out more on
the surface.

Figure 1. 3:Illustration of contact angles formed by sessile liquid drops on a smooth homogeneous solid surface

1.3 Jaeger's Method

Jaeger's method is used of measuring SURFACE TENSION of a liquid at various temperatures. It contains
beaker with liquid, Woulf's bottle fitted with constant pressure water supplier with screw which can
control the water speed and outlet tube. The end of the capillary tube has put in to the liquid which is
wanted to measure the surface tension. The tube is connected to both manometer and to the capillary
tube. Connected manometer is used to measure the pressure in the tube.

Surface tension can be found at different temperatures by slowly heating the beaker containing the
liquid where thermometer is placed.

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 GPL 211x- Determination of surface tension of water at different temperatures by Jaeger's
method
PH 2020 - Physics laboratory II

2. Theory
Practical set up shown in figure 2.1

The manometer is consisting Kerosene oil and at the equilibrium state the liquid level difference
in two arms of manometer is zero. The manometer is connected to the Y tube in order to measure the
pressure in the tube. The end of the Y tube was connected to a capillary tube shielding properly without
letting atmospheric pressure to affect the results. Before proceeding with experiment all the apparatus
are made air tight to overcome the issue. The screw clip is used to control the water speed into the
tube. When water fills the Woulf"s bottle the surface of the liquid in the capillary tube is pressed down
and the pressure of air inside the tube increases. In order to have uniform measurement stir liquid in
the beaker while measuring temperature. When highest pressure remains in Y tube the meniscus will
be approximately equal to a spherical, and radius of the meniscus is equal to the radius of the capillary
tube. The moment bubble breaks away the highest difference appears between the liquid levels in two
arms of manometer.

The pressure inside the bubble

2T
𝑝= r
where r is the radius of the capillary and T is the surface tension.

The pressure outside the bubble = P + ρ1 h1g where ρ1 density of the liquid where is in the
beaker , h1 is the difference between the bottom end of the capillary and liquid level at the upper
scratch and P is the atmospheric pressure.

The pressure inside the bubble using the manometer = P + ρ2h2g where h2 is the variation of the
manometer liquid level and ρ2 is the density of liquid in manometer.

2T
Therefore 𝑝 = = ρ2h2g - ρ1 h1g
r

when we subject T to find surface tension

rg
𝑥= 2
(h2ρ2 - h1ρ1)

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 GPL 211x- Determination of surface tension of water at different temperatures by Jaeger's
method
PH 2020 - Physics laboratory II

Figure 2. 1:practical setup

3. Apparatus and Accessories

 Beaker
 Travelling microscope
 Thermometer
 Stirrer
 Fine capillary with its cut smooth
 Woulf's bottle
 Outlet tube bent twice
 Manometer

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 GPL 211x- Determination of surface tension of water at different temperatures by Jaeger's
method
PH 2020 - Physics laboratory II

4. Procedure
 First it was measured upper liquid level in the beaker (h1') and the capillary end (h1") and
recorded them. The capillary end measurement was a constant for this experiment.
 The temperature at the moment was recorded using thermometer.
 The manometer was at the equilibrium position, and the Kerosene level of two arms were equal.
The measurement for the Kerosene level of an arm (h2') was recorded using travelling
microscope.
 The screw was opened, Water flows to the Woulf's bottle caused to increase the pressure inside
the bottle, the moment pressure is high , highest liquid level was appeared in a limb of
manometer. That level (h2") was marked and recorded. The level was appeared when the air
bubble break away from the capillary.
 The procedure was repeated adding ice to the beaker for changing temperature. Under all
temperature h1' was recorded while h1" remained same . It was needed to remove water from
the Woulf's bottle when repeating the process, It was done only after the capillary tube was
taken out of water.
 Maximum difference of liquid levels in the two arms of the measurement is shown the air
bubble breaks away and it was given by h2= 2(h2"- h2')
 Using graphical method room temperature was determined.

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 GPL 211x- Determination of surface tension of water at different temperatures by Jaeger's
method
PH 2020 - Physics laboratory II

5. Experimental Data

Position Microscope reading in cm (± 0.0005 cm)

Liquid level at the upper scratch (h1’) 4.3700
Depth of the bottom end of the capillary 1.5740
tube (h1”)
Table 5. 1: Measurements of depth of the capillary in the water

Temperature in °C (± 0.1 °C) Microscope reading of the upper scratch

in cm (± 0.0005 cm)
35 3.8110
40 3.8850
45 3.9350
50 3.9900
55 4.0570
60 4.1060
65 4.1750
70 4.2440
Table 5. 2:Measurement of upper scratch of the liquid in beaker

Temperature in °C Microscope reading Microscope reading Variation of the

(± 0.1 °C) of the equilibrium of the upper liquid manometer liquid
level h2” (± 0.0005 level h2’ (± 0.0005 level h2= 2(h2’-h2”)
cm) cm) in cm (± 0.0007 cm)
70 7.3180 10.2810 5.926
65 7.3180 10.3450 6.054
60 7.3180 10.3900 6.144
55 7.3180 10.4800 6.324
50 7.3180 10.5950 6.554
45 7.3180 10.5990 6.562
40 7.3180 10.6060 6.576
35 7.3180 10.6130 6.590
Table 5. 3:Variation of liquid levels in the manometer liquid

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 GPL 211x- Determination of surface tension of water at different temperatures by Jaeger's
method
PH 2020 - Physics laboratory II

Temperature ( C
̊ ) Density ± 0.56 (kg/m3)
0 999.84
4 999.98
10 999.70
20 998.21
30 995.65
50 988.03
100 958.40
Table 5. 4:Density of water at different temperature

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 GPL 211x- Determination of surface tension of water at different temperatures by Jaeger's
method
PH 2020 - Physics laboratory II

6.Data Analysis

Temperature Upper Depth of the Density of Difference in Surface

( ̊C ) scratch(h1') capillary end (h1=h1' water ρ1 manometric tension T=
𝐫𝐠
±0.0005 cm - h1") cm liquid h2=2(h2' (h2ρ2 - h1ρ)
𝟐
-h2") mN/m
70 4.2440 2.67 988.03 5.926 51.380
65 4.0570 2.601 988.03 6.054 55.465
60 4.1060 2.532 988.03 6.144 58.817
55 4.1750 2.483 988.03 6.324 63.433
50 3.9900 2.416 988.03 6.554 69.433
45 3.9350 2.361 995.65 6.562 70.451
40 3.8850 2.311 995.65 6.576 71.904
35 3.8110 2.237 995.65 6.590 73.924
Table 6. 1: Surface tension of water with temperature

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 GPL 211x- Determination of surface tension of water at different temperatures by Jaeger's
method
PH 2020 - Physics laboratory II

7. Error Analysis
Uncertainty in the radius of the capillary end δr1

r = d/2

(δr)2 = ( δd/2)2

(δr) = ( δd/2)

(δr) = (0.0005/2) = ± 0.00025 cm∕∕

Uncertainty in the depth of the capillary tube end (δh1' )

h1 = h1' - h1"

(δh1 )2 = (δh1')2 + ( δh1")2

(δh1 ) =[ (δh1')2 + ( δh1")2 ]1/2

(δh1 ) = √ (0.0005)2 + (0.0005)2

(δh1 )= ± 7.0710 x 10-4 cm ∕∕

Uncertainty in the variation in the manometric liquid (δh2' )

h2 = 2( h2' - h2")

(δh1 )2 = (∂ h2/∂h2')2 (δh2')2 + (∂ h2/∂h2'')2 (δh2")2

= (2)2 (0.0005)2 + (2)2 (0.0005)2

= (2)2 x 2 x (0.0005)2

(δh1 ) = 2 x (2)1/2 x 0.0005

= ± 1.4142 x 10-3cm∕∕

Uncertainty in surface tension

rg
T= (h2ρ2 - h1ρ1)
2

rg rg
T= 2
h2ρ2 - 2
h1ρ1

rg rg
T1 = 2
h2ρ2 T2= 2
h1ρ1

(δ T1)2 = (∂ T1∕∂r)2 ( δr ) 2 + ( ∂ T1∕∂h2) 2 ( δ h2 )2

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 GPL 211x- Determination of surface tension of water at different temperatures by Jaeger's
method
PH 2020 - Physics laboratory II

= (gh2 ρ2 ∕2)2 (2.5x10-4)2 + (rgρ2∕2) 2(1.14142 x 10-3)2

(δ T2)2 = (∂ T2∕∂r)2 ( δr ) 2 + ( ∂ T2∕∂h1) 2 ( δ h1 )2 + (∂ T2∕∂ρ1)2 ( δ ρ1 ) 2

= (gh1 ρ1 ∕2)2 (2.5x10-4)2 + (rgρ1∕2) 2(7.0710 x 10-4)2 + (rgh1∕2) 2(0.56 x 10-3)2

(δ T)2 = (δ T1)2 + (δ T2)2

(δ T) = { (δ T1)2 + (δ T2)2 }1/2

Using above equation, error calculations at respective temperatures

Temperature ( C
̊ ) Error (δ T)(mN/m)
35 0.3835
40 0.373
45 0.366
50 0.361
55 0.330
60 0.307
65 0.289
70 0.269

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 GPL 211x- Determination of surface tension of water at different temperatures by Jaeger's
method
PH 2020 - Physics laboratory II

8. Final results

Temperature ( C
̊ ) Surface tension of water mN/m
70 51.380 ± 0.269
65 55.465± 0.289
60 58.817± 0.307
55 63.433± 0.330
50 69.433± 0.361
45 70.451± 0.366
40 71.904± 0.373
35 73.924± 0.3835
Table 8. 1: Temperature with surface tension

In this experiment, the surface tension of water at different temperatures were

found by using the jaeger’s method. Data were obtained and then analysed. The
final results were gained graphically after conducting the error analysis.
Surface tension of water at room temperature

Surface Tension (25°C)= ( 0.082 ±0.00033 ) N/m

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 GPL 211x- Determination of surface tension of water at different temperatures by Jaeger's
method
PH 2020 - Physics laboratory II

9. Discussion
Jaeger's method was used to find surface tension of water at different temperatures. This method is not
suitable for the liquids which is not available in large amount, as the experiment is required large
amount of liquid. Jaeger's method is very suitable for comparing the surface tension at different
temperatures. It is not required a contact angle to find surface tension. But this method doesn't provide
reliable measurements on what is required.

There are few factors which should be considered when continuing the experiment for better results.
There should not be any leakages in apparatus as well as in shielding to avoid atmospheric pressure to
affect the result. The tube which carries water into Woulf's bottle should be submerged to water,
otherwise when water drops down, air inside the bottle is moving and it will be caused to change inside
pressure. For repeating the experiment, collected water inside the Woulf's bottle should be removed
and the capillary tube should be taken out of the water when removing water.

Capillary should be kept vertical when measuring capillary ascent, if it is not the meniscus will be
elliptical and present formulas cannot be used.

Liquid which has less density than water would be suitable as manometric liquid, here Kerosene was
used to have a considerable difference in two arms in order to reduce the error.

Orifice of the capillary tube should be very small and circular , so that the maximum pressure in the
bubble may occur when it is hemispherical.

There are some errors where it always takes some time to get the readings after measuring
temperature. So little changes in temperature can be happened. as highest liquid level in manometer
appears and quickly go down, marking the liquid level contains errors.

At critical temperature surface tension is zero.

Open end of the manometer drawn out into a capillary tube to minimize the oscillations of the
manometric liquid due to surface tension.

Drops of water, Insects walking on water, needles floating on water can be defined as phenomenon of
surface tension.

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 GPL 211x- Determination of surface tension of water at different temperatures by Jaeger's
method
PH 2020 - Physics laboratory II

10. Conclusion
Upper scratch level decreases with the temperature

Surface tension decreases with the temperature

Jeager's method is not ideal to determine the surface tension.

11. References
ELDER, R. B.
Note on the Measurement of Surface Tensions
In-text: (Elder, 2017)
Your Bibliography: Elder, R. (2017). Note on the Measurement of Surface Tension

(2018). Retrieved from Hyperphysics: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/surten.html

service, T. i. (2017-2019). Retrieved from BrainKart, LLC: http://www.brainkart.com/article/Pressure-
difference-and-pressure-inside-a-liquid-drop-and-a-soap-bubble_3064/

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 GPL 211x- Determination of surface tension of water at different temperatures by Jaeger's
method
PH 2020 - Physics laboratory II

12. Appendix A
CODES

 Graph of Upper scratch of the liquid level vs. temperature

T=[35,40,45,50,55,60,65,70];

h1=[3.8110,3.8850,3.9350,3.9900,4.0570,4.1060,4.1750,4.2400];

plot(T,h1,'*k')

xlabel('Temperature(Celcius)');

ylabel('h1(cm)');

title('Upper scratch of the liquid level vs. Temperature');

 Graph of density of water vs. temperature

Temperature=[0,4,10,20,30,50,100];

Density=[999.84,999.98,999.70,998.21,995.65,988.03,958.40];

plot(Temperature,Density,'*k')

xlabel('Temperature(Celcius)');

ylabel('Density of water(Kg/m^3)');

title('Density of water vs. Temperature');

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 GPL 211x- Determination of surface tension of water at different temperatures by Jaeger's
method
PH 2020 - Physics laboratory II

 Graph of Surface Tension vs. temperature

T=[35,40,45,50,55,60,65,70];
s=[73.924,71.904,70.451,69.433,63.433,58.817,55.465,51.380];
plot(T,s,'*k')
xlabel('Temperature(Celcius)');
ylabel('Surface Tension(N/m)');
title('Surface Tension vs. Temperature');

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GPL 211x- Determination of surface tension of water at different temperatures by Jaeger's
method
PH 2020 - Physics laboratory II

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GPL 211x- Determination of surface tension of water at different temperatures by Jaeger's
method
PH 2020 - Physics laboratory II

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GPL 211x- Determination of surface tension of water at different temperatures by Jaeger's
method
PH 2020 - Physics laboratory II

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