Determination of the coefficient of surface tension of water

Introduction

Surface tension of liquids

Surface energy1 is the excess potential energy of molecules in the surface layer compared to the

energy of molecules inside the phases (i.e., in the volume far from the boundary), due to the

difference in intermolecular interactions in the boundary phases.

The value of the surface energy naturally depends on the number of outer molecules. Since the

number of molecules on the liquid surface is proportional to the surface area, the value of the

surface energy depends on the surface area.

∆Е𝑠 = α∆𝑆 (1)

α – coefficient of surface tension

In a state of stable equilibrium, the system must have a minimum value of potential energy.

Molecules located on the free surface tend to reduce their potential energy, i.e., to reduce the

surface area. Thus, the liquid, under the action of internal forces, tends to reduce its free surface,

if it is not prevented by external forces. This is surface tension. Since a liquid is incompressible,

the condition for stable equilibrium of a liquid body is the minimum ratio of its surface area to

volume.

Surface tension force2 is a force that is directed tangentially to the surface of the liquid and

perpendicular to the contour that bounds the surface of the liquid.

1
Camuffo, Dario. “Physics of Drop Formation and Micropore Condensation.” Microclimate for Cultural Heritage,
2014, pp. 165–201, www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/surface-tension,
10.1016/b978-0-444-63296-8.00006-8. Accessed 9 Apr. 2022.
2
“What Shows the Surface Tension. Start in Science.” Goaravetisyan.ru, 10 Oct. 2021,
goaravetisyan.ru/en/chto-pokazyvaet-poverhnostnoe-natyazhenie-start-v-nauke-vychisleniya-poverhnostnogo-natyaz
heniya/. Accessed 10 Apr. 2022.
1
Surface tension is clearly demonstrated in figure 1 using a liquid film. A liquid film is stretched

over a rectangular wire frame with movable side ab.

Fig. 1. Surface Tension

Due to the presence of surface tension, in order to move the movable side of the frame ab by a

distance of ∆𝑥 and thereby increase the surface area of ​the liquid by ∆𝑆 = 𝑙∆𝑥, (𝑙 = 2𝐿, since

the liquid film has two surfaces), it is necessary to apply a force F equal to the surface tension

force, and thus do the work ∆𝐴:

∆𝐴 = 𝐹∆𝑥 (2)

This work ∆𝐴 is aimed at increasing the free energy of the surface ∆𝐸𝑠, that is

∆𝐴 = ∆𝐸𝑠 (3)

Then,

∆𝐴
α= ∆𝑆
(4)

Thus, the surface tension coefficient α is numerically equal to the work that must be done to

increase the free surface of the liquid per unit area.

𝐹
α= 𝑙
(5)

2
Hence, the coefficient of surface tension α is numerically equal to the force applied to the unit

length of the edge of the surface film of the liquid.

Determining the surface tension coefficient by the ring tear-off method

The method consists in measuring the elastic force of the spring at the moment of separation of

the ring from the surface of the liquid. When the ring comes into contact with liquid, the liquid

will wet the outer and inner surfaces of the ring (Fig. 2)3. Under the action of molecular forces

from the side of the ring, the liquid rises near its surface.

Fig. 2. Ring tear-off method

The surface tension force is directed tangentially to the liquid surface. The angle between the

tangent to the surface of the liquid and the 5th wall of the ring is called the contact angle4, θw.

For a liquid wetting the surface, the contact angle w is acute. In case of complete wetting θw=0 .

Force 𝐹1 = 𝐹𝑐𝑜𝑠 θ𝑤 is directed vertically downwards and counteracts the elastic force of the

→
spring 𝑓. At the moment of ring separation, the elastic force ƒ is equal to the sum of the forces of

surface tension and the force of gravity of the ring 𝑃𝑟:

3
“Contact Angles.” Chemistry LibreTexts, 2 Oct. 2013,
https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry_Textbook_Maps/Supplemental_Mod
ules_(Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry)/Physical_Properties_of_Matter/States_of_Matter/Properties_of_Liquid
s/Contact_Angles. Accessed 12 Apr. 2022.
4
“Surface Tension Facts for Kids.” Kiddle.co, 2021, kids.kiddle.co/Surface_tension. Accessed 9 Apr. 2022.
3
 𝑓 = 𝐹 + 𝑃𝑟 (6)

The length of the film tear-off line l is equal to the sum of the lengths of the outer and inner

circles of the ring:

𝐿 = π(𝐷1 + 𝐷2), (7)

where 𝐷1 − external diameter; 𝐷2 −inner diameter of the ring.

Then,

𝐹 𝐹
α= 𝑙
= π(𝐷1+𝐷2)
(8)

It is convenient to determine the pull-off force of the ring using a spring balance. To do this, the

ring is suspended from a spring balance. When the ring is pulled out of the liquid, the spring is

stretched to its maximum elongation when the ring is torn off. The spring tension is used to

determine the breakaway force.

Research Question

What are the surface tension strength and the water surface tension coefficient when using an

installation where the ring weighs 6.2 grams?

Data Collection

Installation description

The installation for determining the coefficient of surface tension5 is a vertical rack with a fixed

spring S in a glass casing. The scale Sc is fixed on the rack. The spring is equipped with a round

5
Ponomareva, M A, and Yakutenok Vladimir. “Determination of Surface Tension Coefficient and Contact Angle
Using Numerical Calculations of Equilibrium...” ResearchGate, MAIK Nauka/Interperiodica, Aug. 2011,
www.researchgate.net/publication/257849517_Determination_of_surface_tension_coefficient_and_contact_angle_u
sing_numerical_calculations_of_equilibrium_drop_shapes. Accessed 10 Apr. 2022.
4
plate - the P pointer for reading from the Sc scale. A cup for weights or a metal ring R can be

attached to the spring. This device is called a spring balance.

Fig. 3. Installation for determining the coefficient of surface tension

The vessel with the test liquid A is mounted on a lifting table T, which can be raised and lowered

using a screw mechanism.

Procedure

1. Graduation of spring scales - establishing the relationship between the tension of the

spring and the load applied to it:

1.1. Fix the cup for weights on the spring (its mass is written on the cup).

1.2. Write down the initial position of the pointer on the scale of the spring balance n0.

1.3. Load the scales (add weights of 1 g each to the cup) and mark the corresponding

positions of the pointer on the scale nl. Record the data in Table 1.

1.4. Unload the balance, removing 1 g and marking the position of the pointer on the

scale np. Enter the data in table 1.

1.5. According to Table 1, construct a graph of the calibration of spring balances, plotting

the values ​of nm along the abscissa, and the corresponding load along the ordinate (the

graph is built in google drawings).

5
Ring mass m = 6.2 g.
Table 1
Experience Load in Scale division
number grams under load during unloading mean
1 6 12.7 12.8 12.75
2 7 14.0 14.1 14.05
3 8 15.3 15.4 15.35
4 9 16.7 16.7 16.7
5 10 18.1 18.1 18.1

Fig. 4. Graph of the calibration of spring balances

2. Experimental determination of the force and coefficient of surface tension:

2.1. Replace the cup on the spring balance with a metal ring. Record the position of the

pointer. According to the calibration chart (see 1.3.), determine the mass of the ring mr in

grams.

2.2. Place the vessel with the test liquid A on the lifting table T under the ring.

2.3. Raise the table T until the ring touches the surface of the liquid. The ring should

touch the surface of the liquid only with the lower edge.

6
 2.4. Slowly lowering the table, mark against which division of the scale the pointer will

be at the moment the ring is torn off. Repeat the experiment five times. Record the results

of observations in table 2.

2.5. According to the calibration graph, determine the load f corresponding to the tension

of the spring at the moment of the ring tearing off (in grams). Spring force at the moment

of ring break:

𝐹𝑠 = 𝑓𝑔, (9)

where g is the free fall acceleration.

2.6. Determine the force of surface tension (the contact angle of wetting is assumed

to be zero for θw=0)

𝐹 = 𝐹𝑠 − 𝑃𝑟 (10)

𝑃𝑟 = 𝑚𝑟𝑔 − 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔

2.7. Express the values ​of the forces Fs, Pr and the surface tension force F in newtons

−3 2
(for this, convert grams to kilograms: 1 g = 10 kg, 𝑔 = 9. 81 м/с )

Determine the mean value of the surface tension force Fm and its error ΔFm.

Table 2
Experiment Scale mark 2
f, g F, N ∆𝐹, N (∆𝐹) , N2
number at tear-off
1 16.2 8.7 0.024 0.001 0.000001
2 16.3 8.8 0.025 0 0
3 16.4 8.85 0.026 -0.001 0.000001
4 16.3 8.8 0.025 0 0
5 16.3 8.8 0.025 0 0
Mean 0.025

2.8. Five times in different directions, measure the external 𝐷1 and inner 𝐷2 diameters of the ring

with a caliper. Record the measurement results in Table. 3.

7
2.9. Determine the average values ​of the external diameter of the ring 𝐷1𝑚 and the inner diameter

𝐷2𝑚 and their errors Δ𝐷1𝑚 and Δ𝐷2𝑚.

2.10. Using formula (8), calculate the coefficient of surface tension in newtons per meter (N/m).

Table 3
Experiment 𝐷1, cm ∆𝐷1, (∆𝐷1)2, 𝐷2, cm ∆𝐷2, cm (∆𝐷2)2,
number cm cm2 cm2
1 7.18 -0.146 0.02132 6.99 -0.034 0.0012
2 6.95 0.084 0.00706 6.92 0.036 0.00129
3 6.98 0.054 0.00278 6.94 0.016 0.000256
4 7.02 0.014 0.000196 6.95 0.006 0.000036
5 7.04 -0.006 0.000036 6.98 -0.024 0.000576
mean 𝐷1𝑚 = 7, 034 𝐷2𝑚 = 6, 956

2.11. Determine the absolute and relative errors in measuring the surface tension

coefficient α, using formulas for the error of indirect measurements. Record the final

result. Indicate the temperature at which the measurements were made.

Processing of measurement results

Spring force for each measurment
𝑚
𝐹𝑠1 = 0, 0087 𝑘𝑔 * 9, 81 2 = 0, 085 𝑁
𝑠

𝑚
𝐹𝑠2 = 0, 0088 𝑘𝑔 * 9, 81 2 = 0, 086 𝑁
𝑠

𝑚
𝐹𝑠3 = 0, 00885 𝑘𝑔 * 9, 81 2 = 0, 087 𝑁
𝑠

𝑚
𝐹𝑠4 = 0, 0088 𝑘𝑔 * 9, 81 2 = 0, 086 𝑁
𝑠

𝑚
𝐹𝑠5 = 0, 0088 𝑘𝑔 * 9, 81 2 = 0, 086 𝑁
𝑠

Ring mass m = 6.2 g.

𝑚
𝑃𝑟 = 0. 0062 𝑘𝑔 * 9. 81 2 = 0, 061 𝑁
𝑠

Surface tension force for each measurement

𝐹1 = 0, 085𝑁 − 0, 061 𝑁 = 0, 024 𝑁

𝐹2 = 0, 086𝑁 − 0, 061 𝑁 = 0, 025 𝑁

8
𝐹3 = 0, 087𝑁 − 0, 061 𝑁 = 0, 026 𝑁

𝐹4 = 0, 086𝑁 − 0, 061 𝑁 = 0, 025 𝑁

𝐹5 = 0, 086𝑁 − 0, 061 𝑁 = 0, 025 𝑁

(0,024+0,025+0,026+0,025+0,025)𝑁
𝐹𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛 = 5
= 0, 025𝑁

∆𝐹1 = 0, 025𝑁 − 0, 024𝑁 = 0, 001𝑁

∆𝐹2 = 0, 025𝑁 − 0, 025𝑁 = 0 𝑁

∆𝐹3 = 0, 025𝑁 − 0, 026𝑁 =− 0, 001𝑁

∆𝐹4 = 0, 025𝑁 − 0, 025𝑁 = 0 𝑁

∆𝐹5 = 0, 025𝑁 − 0, 025𝑁 = 0 𝑁

(7,18+6,95+6,98+7,02+7,04)𝑐𝑚
𝐷1𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛 = 5
= 7, 034 𝑐𝑚

∆𝐷1 = 7, 034𝑐𝑚 − 7, 18𝑐𝑚 =− 0, 146 𝑐𝑚

∆𝐷1 = 7, 034𝑐𝑚 − 6, 95𝑐𝑚 = 0, 084 𝑐𝑚

∆𝐷1 = 7, 034𝑐𝑚 − 6, 98𝑐𝑚 = 0, 054 𝑐𝑚

∆𝐷1 = 7, 034𝑐𝑚 − 7, 02𝑐𝑚 = 0, 014 𝑐𝑚

∆𝐷1 = 7, 034𝑐𝑚 − 7, 04𝑐𝑚 =− 0, 006 𝑐𝑚

(6,99+6,92+6,94+6,95+6,98)𝑐𝑚
𝐷2𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛 = 5
= 6, 956 𝑐𝑚

∆𝐷2 = 6, 956𝑐𝑚 − 6, 99𝑐𝑚 =− 0, 034 𝑐𝑚

∆𝐷2 = 6, 956𝑐𝑚 − 6, 92𝑐𝑚 = 0, 036 𝑐𝑚

∆𝐷2 = 6, 956𝑐𝑚 − 6, 94𝑐𝑚 = 0, 016 𝑐𝑚

∆𝐷2 = 6, 956𝑐𝑚 − 6, 95𝑐𝑚 = 0, 006 𝑐𝑚

∆𝐷2 = 6, 956𝑐𝑚 − 6, 98𝑐𝑚 =− 0, 024 𝑐𝑚

Surface tension coefficient

9
 0,024 𝑁
α1 = 3,14(0,0718 𝑚+0,0699 𝑚)
= 0, 054 𝑁/𝑚

0,025 𝑁
α2 = 3,14(0,0695 𝑚+0,0692 𝑚)
= 0, 057 𝑁/𝑚

0,026 𝑁
α3 = 3,14(0,0698 𝑚+0,0694 𝑚)
= 0, 059 𝑁/𝑚

0,025 𝑁
α4 = 3,14(0,0702 𝑚+0,0695 𝑚)
= 0, 057 𝑁/𝑚

0,025 𝑁
α5 = 3,14(0,0704 𝑚+0,0698 𝑚)
= 0, 057 𝑁/𝑚

(0,054+0,057+0,059+0,057+0,057)𝑁
α𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛 = 5
= 0, 0568 𝑁/𝑚

Measurement error calculation

𝑛
2
∑ (〈α〉−α)
σ= 𝑖=1
𝑛(𝑛−1)
(11)

2 2 2 2 2
(0.0568−0.054) +(0.0568−0.057) +(0.0568−0.059) +(0.0568−0.057) +(0.0568−0.057)
σ= 5(5−1)
=

0.00000784+0.00000004+0.00000484+0.00000004+0.00000004
= 20
= 0. 0008

Fig. 5. Student's t-distribution table6

6
Studfile.net, 2022, studfile.net/html/2706/361/html_DoZjXYWJHt.AVBl/img-Lwa2Nx.png. Accessed 13 Apr.
2022.
10
From the Student's t-distribution table, it is seen that the coefficient for 5 measurements with a

confidence level of 0.95 (confidence value is determined by the nature of the measurements,

although when performing educational laboratory work in the course of general physics, the

confidence probability is usually considered equal to 95%7) is 2.77, so

∆α = 𝑡𝑛 * σ (12)

∆α = 2, 77 * 0, 0008 = 0, 0022

α = (0, 0568±0, 0025)Н/м

∆α
ε= α
* 100% (13)

0,0022 Н/м
ε= 0,0568 Н/м
* 100% = 3, 9%, which means that

Н
the uncertainty error is α = (0, 0568±0, 0025)Н/м =0, 0568 м
±3, 9%

Conclusion

In conclusion, with the mass of ring in the experimental installation being 6.2 grams, the

calculated surface tension of water is 0, 025 𝑁, while the coefficient of surface tension is

0, 0568 𝑁/𝑚.

Suggestions for further investigation

Firstly, the investigation will have a different result when using a ring of different mass or

another temperature. Apart from that, the uncertainty of the final calculation would differ. I

wouldn’t mind repeating the experiment in a different environment.

Secondly, it would be interesting to study the surface tension of larger volumes of water, for

example, how it works in reservoirs and dams, which do not have a 100% clean water

composition. By building a bigger installation or conducting the experiment hypothetically,

such things as the difference between calculations due to a bigger volume or density, the

7
“Confidence Intervals.” Bu.edu, 2022,
sphweb.bumc.bu.edu/otlt/mph-modules/bs/bs704_confidence_intervals/bs704_confidence_intervals_print.html.
Accessed 13 Apr. 2022.
11
difference in temperature could be learnt. Hopefully, the scientists in white ropes and glasses

could do it one day, if not done already.

12
 Bibliography:

Camuffo, Dario. “Physics of Drop Formation and Micropore Condensation.” Microclimate for

Cultural Heritage, 2014, pp. 165–201,

www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/surface-tension,

10.1016/b978-0-444-63296-8.00006-8. Accessed 9 Apr. 2022.

“Confidence Intervals.” Bu.edu, 2022,

sphweb.bumc.bu.edu/otlt/mph-modules/bs/bs704_confidence_intervals/bs704_confidenc

e_intervals_print.html. Accessed 13 Apr. 2022.

“Contact Angles.” Chemistry LibreTexts, 2 Oct. 2013,

https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry_Textbook_

Maps/Supplemental_Modules_(Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry)/Physical_Properti

es_of_Matter/States_of_Matter/Properties_of_Liquids/Contact_Angles. Accessed 12 Apr.

2022.

Ponomareva, M A, and Yakutenok Vladimir. “Determination of Surface Tension Coefficient and

Contact Angle Using Numerical Calculations of Equilibrium...” ResearchGate, MAIK

Nauka/Interperiodica, Aug. 2011,

www.researchgate.net/publication/257849517_Determination_of_surface_tension_coeffi

cient_and_contact_angle_using_numerical_calculations_of_equilibrium_drop_shapes.

Accessed 10 Apr. 2022.

Studfile.net, 2022, studfile.net/html/2706/361/html_DoZjXYWJHt.AVBl/img-Lwa2Nx.png.

Accessed 13 Apr. 2022.

“Surface Tension Facts for Kids.” Kiddle.co, 2021, kids.kiddle.co/Surface_tension. Accessed 9

Apr. 2022.

“What Shows the Surface Tension. Start in Science.” Goaravetisyan.ru, 10 Oct. 2021,

goaravetisyan.ru/en/chto-pokazyvaet-poverhnostnoe-natyazhenie-start-v-nauke-vychislen

iya-poverhnostnogo-natyazheniya/. Accessed 13 Apr. 2022.

13