Why surface tension is force per unit length and not area?

Since it is completely spherical, we can describe its air/liquid interface in spherical coordinates as a circle. As surface tension only acts at the interface (i.e. the circle) we can consider it a force per unit length (of the circle).

Why is surface tension force per length?

Surface tension is the amount of force you need to apply per unit length to stretch the area of a liquid by 1 square unit. All the molecules of a liquid attract one another – even if they are different, they are more stable together than apart.

Does surface tension depend on area?

No, surface tension doesn’t depend on the surface area. The surface tension primarily depends on the forces of attraction between the particles within the giving liquid and also on the gas, solid or liquid in contact with it.

Does surface tension exist in space?

Because there’s no gravity to hold liquids in position, astronauts have only the force of surface tension to control the behaviour of liquid in space.

Why does surface tension act tangentially?

Particles on the surface have equal force along the side and due to this tensile stress is generated. The distance between the particles in the air is greater than the distance between particles in water. Hence, the net cohesive force acts downward.

Is surface tension due to adhesion or cohesion?

Cohesion is molecular attraction between like molecules and adhesion is molecular attraction between unlike molecules. Surface tension is most directly related to cohesion. For example, the surface tension of a pool of water is due to the attraction of water molecules to other water molecules.

How does surface tension minimize surface area?

Cohesive forces between molecules cause the surface of a liquid to contract to the smallest possible surface area. This general effect is called surface tension. Molecules on the surface are pulled inward by cohesive forces, reducing the surface area.

What are the factors affecting the surface tension?

What are the factors affecting the surface tension of a liquid? -…

• The presence of any contamination or impurities.
• The presence of dissolved substances.
• Electrification.
• Temperature.

What is surface tension in space?

The tendency for water molecules to stick together causes it to causes spheres in space. Up there, surface tension shapes water into spheres. Magnetic-like molecules on water’s surface cause the surface to behave like an elastic skin. Each molecule is pulled with equal tension by its neighbors.

What happens to surface tension under different gravity?

Gravity works to pull the water down and out of the cup. Surface tension (the natural tendency of water molecules to stick together) works to hold the water together inside the cup. With a regular-‐size cup, the force of gravity is much stronger than surface tension, so the water falls out of the cup.

What is the length in surface tension?

Surface Tension (T) = Force × Length-1. Or, T = [M1 L1 T-2] × [L-1] = M1 T-2. Therefore, surface tension is dimensionally represented as M1 T-2.