• Question: what factors affect surface tention?

    Asked by 626hthj1729 to Sammy on 14 Jul 2017.
    • Photo: Sammy Wambua

      Sammy Wambua answered on 14 Jul 2017:


      Hello 626hthj1729,

      Thanks for reminding me of my high school physics… I believe you mean tension surface i.e. the elastic tendency of a fluid surface which makes it acquire the least surface area possible.

      Some of the factors known to influence it include:
      – polarity; polar molecules have greater surface tension.
      – temperature; as temperature increases, surface tension decreases.
      – impurities; Surface tension can be affected by substances dissolved in the liquid.

      Please let me know if you have any further questions.

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