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Problem 2.80: Open-Ended Problem Statement

Surface tension allows the maximum water level in a glass to be higher than the rim. Surface tension acts as an invisible membrane between the water and air interface and the glass, trapping water above the rim. Adding detergent, which reduces surface tension, causes the excess water above the rim to run over the side of the glass.

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Kauê Britto
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37 views

Problem 2.80: Open-Ended Problem Statement

Surface tension allows the maximum water level in a glass to be higher than the rim. Surface tension acts as an invisible membrane between the water and air interface and the glass, trapping water above the rim. Adding detergent, which reduces surface tension, causes the excess water above the rim to run over the side of the glass.

Uploaded by

Kauê Britto
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Problem 2.

80 [Difficulty: 2]

Open-Ended Problem Statement: Slowly fill a glass with water to the maximum possible
level before it overflows. Observe the water level closely. Explain how it can be higher than the rim of the
glass.

Discussion: Surface tension can cause the maximum water level in a glass to be higher than the rim of
the glass. The same phenomenon causes an isolated drop of water to “bead up” on a smooth surface.
Surface tension between the water/air interface and the glass acts as an invisible membrane that allows
trapped water to rise above the level of the rim of the glass. The mechanism can be envisioned as forces
that act in the surface of the liquid above the rim of the glass. Thus the water appears to defy gravity by
attaining a level higher than the rim of the glass.
To experimentally demonstrate that this phenomenon is the result of surface tension, set the liquid level
nearly as far above the glass rim as you can get it, using plain water. Add a drop of liquid detergent (the
detergent contains additives that reduce the surface tension of water). Watch as the excess water runs over
the side of the glass.

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