JUNIOR SCIENCE COLLEGE

ANDHERI / BORIVALI / DADAR / NERUL / POWAI / THANE

Change in radius is negligible. (g= 9.8 m/s2, elastic limit of steel= 2.4 × 108 N/m2, C
6. SURFACE TENSION
Q.1 What do you mean by intermolecular forces? What are the two types of intermolecular forces? Write
examples for each:
Ans: Characteristics and behavior of liquid or gases can be explained on the basis of the force of attraction
and repulsion between their molecules. These forces are called as intermolecular
Forces. Types of intermolecular forces :
(i) Cohesive force: The force of attraction between two molecules of the same substance is
called cohesive force. This property is called cohesion.
(ii) Adhesive force: The force of attraction between molecules of different substances is called
adhesive force.
Force of attraction between two air molecules, two water molecules are cohesive forces.
Force of attraction between water and glass molecule is adhesive force.

Q.2 Define (i) Range of molecular force (ii) sphere of influence (March 2008)
Ans: (i) Range of molecular attraction – Molecular range : The maximum distance between two
molecules upto which the intermolecular forces are effective is called the molecular range
and Generally it is of the order of 109 meters in solids and liquids.
(ii) Sphere of influence : An imaginary sphere is drawn, with a given molecule as centre and
radius equal to the molecular range is called the sphere of influence.

Q.3 Define the terms (i) surface film (ii) cohesion pressure :
Ans: (i) Surface film: The layer of surface of liquid whose thickness is equal to range of
molecular attraction is called surface film.
(ii) Cohesion pressure: The downward cohesive force per unit area of liquid surface is called
cohesion pressure.

Q.4 Explain the phenomenon of surface tension on the basis of molecular theory.(March 2009)
Ans: Consider the surface film of molecular range R and three molecules
‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ with their spheres of influence drawn around them
as shown in the figure.
Since the sphere of influence of molecule ‘A’ lies within the liquid, it
is attracted equally in the all directions and the resultant force acting
on the molecule is zero. Therefore molecule A is free.
The molecule B is just inside the liquid surface. Its distance
from the liquid surface is less than the range of molecular attraction. Therefore a small part of its
sphere of influence lies outside the liquid surface i.e. in air. This part contains molecules of air and
forces of attraction exerted by them on molecule B are negligible compared to those exerted by the
liquid molecules inside the sphere of influence. Hence, Molecule B experiences resultant downward
cohesive force trying to pull it inside the liquid.
The molecule ‘C’ is lying on the liquid surface. Half of its sphere of influence lies above
the surface of the liquid and the other half lies below the surface of the liquid. As a result
downward force acting on ‘C’ is greater than that of ‘B’.
Thus all the molecules in the surface film are pulled downwards due to cohesive forces and
this increases as we move towards the free surface. These cohesive forces are responsible for surface
tension.
When a molecule is brought in the surface film, work is done against the unbalanced cohesive
forces. This additional potential energy gives rise to surface energy. Potential energy of any system
in equilibrium is minimum. The molecules in the surface film have more potential energy than
molecules inside the liquid. Hence in order to have minimum potential energy to attain maximum

Page 68
 JUNIOR SCIENCE COLLEGE
ANDHERI / BORIVALI / DADAR / NERUL / POWAI / THANE

stability, the free surface of the liquid contracts. This tendency of a liquid surface to contract in area
gives rise to the phenomenon of surface tension.

Q.5 Define surface energy. State its SI units and dimensions.

Ans: The potential energy per unit area of the liquid surface under isothermal condition is called
surface energy per unit area.
Potential energy is greater for molecule at the surface film as compared to a molecule well
inside the liquid. This extra energy that liquid surface possesses is called the surface energy. Thus
SI unit of surface energy is J and CGS unit is erg. Dimensions of surface energy = [L2 M1 T2]

Q.6 Define surface tension. Mention its units and dimensions. (March 2009)
Ans: Definition: It is defined as the force per unit length on an imaginary line drawn on the free surface
of the liquid, acting perpendicular to it at every point and on either sides of it and tending to
reduce the area of the surface along the line.
C.G.S. Unit : dyne/cm
S.I.Unit : N/m
Dimension : [M1 L0 T2]

Q.7 Write any two applications of surface tension.

Ans: Applications of S.T. :
(i)Paste in tooth paste spreads more freely in the mouth and cleaning the mouth because it contains
soap which reduces surface tension.
(ii)If detergent is added in water, the surface tension of resulting soap solution is less than water.
This increases area of contact and improves the cleaning ability of soap solution.

Q.8 Obtain the relation between surface tension and surface energy of the liquid.(Oct.2008,2009,2013)
Ans: Consider a rectangular frame ABCD having a movable wire
CD.
Let AB = CD = l
If a soap film formed on the frame ABCD held
horizontally, then the S.T. will try to pull the wire inwards
by a force, F = 2 (T  l)
 dW  F dx  2Tl dx
 T 2l . dx
But 2l dx = increase in area of two surfaces of the film = dA
 dW  T (dA)
dW
 T 
dA
If dA  1 m2
Then T  dW
Thus numerically surface tension is equal to surface energy per unit area.
 The surface tension is the work done in increasing the surface area of a liquid by unity under
isothermal condition. This work done is stored in the film in the form of free surface energy.
The P.E. ‘dE’ per unit area of the surface film is called its surface energy.
dE
T  = surface energy per unit area
dA
S.I. unit  J/m2 ; Dimensions  [M1 L0 T2]
Note : surface energy of a liquid drop of radius ‘R’ is given by
E  AT  E  4 R 2T
where T = S.T. of the liquid

Page 69
 JUNIOR SCIENCE COLLEGE
ANDHERI / BORIVALI / DADAR / NERUL / POWAI / THANE

In the case of a soap-bubble of radius ‘R’

E = A . T = 2 (4R2) . T
 E  8 R 2 T

Q.9 Explain angle of contact. What are the characteristics of angle of contact?(March 2009,Oct. 2010)
Ans: When a liquid is in contact with a solid, the angle between tangent drawn to the free surface of the
liquid and the surface of solid at the point of contact, measured inside of the liquid is called angle
of contact.
When a liquid partially wets the walls of the solid, the angle of contact is less than 90o and it is said
to be an acute angle of contact.
e.g. water in glass vessel.
When the liquid does not wet the walls of the solid partially, the angle of contact is greater
o
than 90 and it is said to be obtuse angle of contact.
e.g. Mercury in a glass tube.
When the liquid completely wets the solid, the angle of contact is 0. In the case, the
tangent to the liquid surface is almost along the surface of the solid.
Characteristics of Angle of Contact:
(i) For given solid – liquid pair, the angle of contact is constant.
(ii) The value of angle of contact depends upon nature of liquid and solid in contact.
(iii) It depends upon the medium which exists above the free liquid surface.
(iv) The angle of contact changes due to impurity and temperature.

Q.10. (I) Explain why the free surface of some liquids in contact with solid is (March 2011)
(a) Concave (b) convex (c) plane
OR
(II) Explain why angle of contact is acute in case of water and glass and obtuse in case of
mercury and glass pair.
Ans: When a liquid is in contact with solid, the surface of the liquid is assumed to be curved surface
called the meniscus. The relative values of adhesive and cohesive forces decide the shape of the
liquid surface.
Consider a liquid molecule ‘L’ near the wall of the container on the surface of the liquid. The
forces acting on this molecule are:
(i) Cohesive force (C) due to liquid molecules in close proximity. This is directed into the
liquid
(ii) Adhesive force (a) exerted on the molecule by the molecules of the solid. This is
directed into the solid.
(iii) Its weight acting vertically downwards (W). This is usually negligible when compared
with C and a.
(iv) Net Adhesive force exerted on water molecule due to air molecule is very small, can be
neglected.

(a) Concave surface:

Adhesive force is greater than cohesive force: In case
of liquid which partially wets the solid, the adhesive force ‘a’ is
much stronger
 than the cohesive force ‘C’.Therefore their
resultant R is directed outside the liquid and towards the solid.
For a liquid at rest the tangent to the liquid surface must be
perpendicular to the resultant force R

Hence the molecule ‘L’ near the wall will move up until the liquid surface in contact with
 the
solid. becomes wall. Hence the liquid surface near the wall is concave upwards, so that R is
perpendicular to the liquid surface.
Page 70
 JUNIOR SCIENCE COLLEGE
ANDHERI / BORIVALI / DADAR / NERUL / POWAI / THANE

In this case when the adhesive force between liquid and solid molecular is greater than that
cohesive force between the liquid molecules then angle of contact is acute. e.g. for water glass
pair.
(b)Convex Surface:
Cohesive force is greater than the adhesive force: In
case of liquid, which does not wet solid, the cohesive force ‘C’
is stronger than that of adhesive force ‘a’.Therefore their
resultant R is directed inside the liquid. the tangent to the liquid
surface must be perpendicular to the resultant force R The
molecule ‘L’ near the wall moves downwards until the liquid
surface in contact with the solid becomes perpendicular to the
resultant force R . The liquid molecules in the neighborhood of
the wall move downwards along the wall. Hence the liquid
surface near the wall is convex upwards, so that R is
perpendicular to the liquid.
When the cohesive force between the liquid is greater than that of adhesive force between
liquid and solid molecules then the angle of contact is obtuse e.g. for mercury glass pair.

(c) Plane surface: In this case, the resultant adhesive force

acting on the molecule is very strong and resultant cohesive force
can be neglected therefore their resultant force is directed
downwards along the wall of the container. All the molecules
move in the direction of the resultant force such that it is
perpendicular to the surface. The only force acting on the molecule
is gravitational force acting vertically downwards and thus angle
of contact is zero. Thus the molecules pile up near the container
form a plane surface.

Q.11 With the help of a liquid drop, explain why the angle of contact is acute or obtuse in case of liquids.
Ans: If small quantity of liquid is dropped on plane solid surface, then a force of surface tension acts along
the surface separating every two media. There is formation of liquid drop, when these forces are in
equilibrium.
Thus there is surface tension along a surface between (a) liquid and air (b) solid and air and
(c) Liquid and solid

Fiq.(i) Fiq.(ii)
For Fiq. (ii)
Let  be angle of contact of given solid-liquid pair
T1 = Surface tension at the liquid-solid interface,
T2 = Surface tension at the air-solid interface,
T3 = Surface tension at the air-liquid interface

Page 71
 JUNIOR SCIENCE COLLEGE
ANDHERI / BORIVALI / DADAR / NERUL / POWAI / THANE

For the equilibrium of the drop

T2 = T1 + T3 cos 
T  T1
i.e. cos   2
T3
Particular cases:
(i) If T2 > T1, and T2  T1 < T3, cos  is positive and angle of contact  is an acute.
(ii) If T2 < T1, and T1 – T2 < T3, cos  is negative and angle of contact  is an obtuse.
(iii) If T2  T1  T3 , cos  1 and  is nearly equal to 0.
(iv) If T2  T1  T3 , cos  1 , which is not possible and liquid is spread over the solid surface and
drop shall not be formed.

Q.12 What is capillarity or capillary action? Mention it’s any four applications.(Oct.2010,March 2011)
Ans: The phenomenon of rise or fall of a liquid inside a capillary tube ,when it is dipped in the liquid is
called capillarity or capillary action.
Applications:
(i) Sap and water rise up to the topmost leaves in the tree.
(ii) Water rises up the crevices in rocks.
(iii) Cloth rag soaks water.
(iv) Blotting paper absorbs ink .
(v) Ink rises in a pen.
(vi) Oil rises up the wick.

Q.13 Explain in brief why the surface of liquid has curved surface on the basis of cohesion pressure.
Ans:

The surface of a liquid is usually horizontal. However, due to the angle of contact phenomenon, the
surface is sometimes concave or convex.
If the surface is plane, the forces due to surface tension acting on two sides of the element
AB are equal and opposite, so that the resultant force is zero fig (a). Therefore there is no difference
in pressure on the two sides of a plane surface.
If the surface is concave, the forces due to surface tension acting on the element AB
produce a resultant force acting vertically upwards fig (b).To counterbalance the effect of this
resultant force, the pressure on the concave surface must
be greater than the pressure on the other side..Adhesive force is greater than cohesive force.
If the surface is convex, the forces due to surface tension acting on the element AB,have a
resultant acting vertically downwards fig (c). Hence to counterbalance its effect, the pressure from
below must be greater than the pressure on the convex surface. Cohesive force is greater than
Adhesive force.
If the liquid surface is curved, there is a difference in pressure on the two sides of the
surface.The pressure on the concave side is greater than the pressure on the convex side.

Page 72
 JUNIOR SCIENCE COLLEGE
ANDHERI / BORIVALI / DADAR / NERUL / POWAI / THANE

Q.14 Explain the capillary action or capillarity. (Feb.2014)

Ans: The shape of surface of water into the capillary is concave. Consider four points A, B, C, D are
such that
(i) the point A is above the concave surface inside the capillary.
(ii) the point B is below the concave surface inside the capillary, within liquid.
(iii) the point C is above the plane surface outside the capillary.
(iv) the point D is below the plane surface outside the capillary
within liquid.
Let PA, PB, PC, PD be the values of pressures at the points A, B, C and
D respectively.
We observe following:
(i) The pressure on the concave side of free surface of water is
greater than that on the convex side.PA > PB
(ii) PA = PC (Atmospheric pressure)
(iii) PC = PD (points above and below plane surface of a water) as
pressure is same on both sides of plane surface.
Then PA = PD
and PD > PB
Thus even though points B and D are the same horizontal level in the liquid, the pressure
at D is greater than at point B. Therefore liquid can’t remain in equilibrium and it enters
into capillary and rises above the point B, till the pressure at B becomes the same as that at
point D.
This is reason why there is a rise of liquid inside the capillary tube.
For liquid, which does not wet solid (like mercury), meniscus of liquid inside the
capillary is convex and the fall of mercury level in a glass capillary tube can be explained
in similar way.

Q.15 Derive the Expression for capillary rise.(March 2010)

Ans: Expression for capillary rise: Consider a liquid in a beaker
with a capillary tube of radius ‘r’ dipped in it. The liquid rises
in the capillary tube and the meniscus is concave upward as
shown in the figure.
The force of surface tension acts inwards along the
tangents to the liquid meniscus at the points of contact. This
tries to pull the tube inwards.
The inner surface of the tube produces an equal and opposite

 
reaction R on the liquid meniscus and pulls the liquid upwards. Therefore the liquid starts rising up

till the force due to the upward component of the reaction R to the surface tension is equal to the
weight of the liquid column. Let ‘h’ be the capillary rise, ‘’ be the angle of contact and “T” be the
surface tension of the liquid.
 
R is equal and opposite to the surface tension T .
 R = T .
T can be resolved into two components.
(i) T sin , directed radically outwards, along the horizontal and
(ii) T cos , directed vertically upwards.
The diametrically opposite pairs of horizontal components on the meniscus cancel each other.
Hence the total force due to vertical component T cos  is given by,
F = 2 r. T cos  ….(i)
This balances the weight (W) of the liquid column in the capillary tube.
But W = (volume of the liquid column)  g
W =  r2hg ….(ii)

Page 73
 JUNIOR SCIENCE COLLEGE
ANDHERI / BORIVALI / DADAR / NERUL / POWAI / THANE

 2 r T cos  =  r2 hg
2T cos 
 h
rg
Note: In the above derivation, we have not considered the mass of the liquid in the meniscus. If it is
taken in to account, then we have to apply a correction to ‘h’.

The correct height = (h + r/3) where ‘r’ is the radius of the capillary, provided the meniscus is
hemispherical.
r  g [h  r / 3]
 T 
2 cos 

Q.16 Explain the effect of impurities and temperature on surface tension of water.(Oct.2008)
Ans: Effect of impurity: The effect of impurities on surface tension of liquid can be either due dissolved
impurities or due to impurities on the surface of the the liquid..
1. If the soluble impurity is in the form of a substance which is highly soluble in the liquid,its effect
is to increase the surface tension.for example when common salt(sodium chloride) is dissolved in
water, the surface tension of this solution is greater than surface tension of pure water.
2. If the soluble impurity is in the form of a substance which is not readily soluble in liquid, its effect
is to reduce the liquid surface reduces the surface tension. For example – detergents lower down the
surface tension.
Dirty clothes contain grease and oil stains sticking to cotton or other fabrics. Washing with water
does not remove grease, stains because water does not wet greasy dirt i.e. there is very little area of
contact between them. Addition of detergent or soap whose molecules attract water at one end and
oil on the other, reduces drastically the surface tension of water – and hence clothes can be cleaned.
Angle of contact decreases on adding soluble impurity to a liquid. Hence surface tension decreases.
Effect of temperature: In most of the liquids, as temperature increases surface tension decreases.
Only in the case of molten copper or molten cadmium, the surface tension increases with increase
intemperature.
The temperature at which surface tension of liquid is zero is called as the critical
temperature of the liquid.
If T and To are the values of surface tension of liquid at  0c and 00c respectively. then over certain
range of temperature. T  T0 (1   ) Where  is constant, which depends upon the nature of liquid.
3) Efeect of contamination on surface tension: The presence of dust particles or lubricating
materials on the liquid surface decreases its surface tension.

Q.17 Explain excess pressure about a drop of liquid.(Feb.2015, 2016)

OR
Derive Laplace’s law for spherical membrane.
Ans: For spherical shape, the inside pressure will be greater than outside pressure.
Consider a spherical drop of radius ‘r’. Let Pi and P0 be the inside and outside pressure
respectively.
 Excess pressure inside the drop = Pi  P0  P
Due to excess pressure, if the radius of drop increases by small amount
say ' r ' then increase in the surface area dA is given by,
dA = final surface area of drop – Initial surface area of drop
= 4 (r  r )2  4 r 2
= 8 r  r  4  r 2
As r  r  r 2 can be neglected in comparison with other terms
 dA  8  r  r

Page 74
 JUNIOR SCIENCE COLLEGE
ANDHERI / BORIVALI / DADAR / NERUL / POWAI / THANE

We know that, work done in increasing the surface area dA is

dw  TdA  T  8 r  r - - - - - (I)
But work done = force  displacement
Excess force = Excess pressure  area
 dw  P  4 r 2  r - - - - - (II)
Comparing equations (I) and (II),
P  4 r 2  r  T  8 r r
2T
P 
r
This is called Law of Spherical membrane.
This excess pressure shows that, excess pressure is more for drops having smaller radii and vice
versa.

Q.18 Explain excess of pressure about for soap bubble.(Feb.2016)

OR
Derive Laplace’s law for spherical membrane.
Ans: For spherical shape, the inside pressure will be greater than that of outside pressure.
Consider a spherical bubble of radius ‘r’. Let Pi and P0 be the inside and outside pressure
respectively.
 Excess pressure inside the bubble = Pi  P0  P
Due to excess pressure, If the radius of drop increases by small
amount say ' r ' . In case of soap bubble, then are two surfaces in
contact with air.
 Increase in surface area dA = 2  (final  initial) surface area
 dA = 2 [ 4 (r  r )2  4 r 2 ]
= 16 r  r  8  r 2
As r  r   r 2 can be neglected in comparison with other terms
 dA  16  r  r
We know that, work done in increasing the surface area dA is

dw  TdA  T  16 r  r - - - - - (I)

But work done = force  displacement
Excess force = Excess pressure  area
 dw  P  4 r 2  r - - - - - (II)
Comparing equation (I) and (II)
P  4 r 2  r  T 16 r  r
4T
P 
r
This is called Law of Spherical membrane.
This excess pressure shows that, excess pressure is larger for drops having smaller radii and vice
versa.

Page 75
 JUNIOR SCIENCE COLLEGE
ANDHERI / BORIVALI / DADAR / NERUL / POWAI / THANE

Formulae

S. I . Unit
1. F N/m
Surface Tension, T  where F  Force; L  Length
L

2. Surface energy OR work done is given by U = W = T A joule (J)

Where newton (N/m)
T  Surface tension (metre)2
A Area

3. 2 T cos  metre
Capillary rise is given by, h 
rg
Where
degree
  angle of contact
metre
r  radius of the capillary tube
metre
g  acceleration due to gravity
  density of liquid s2
Kg/m3
4. R = n1/3 r m

5. E1 – E2 = dW = 4 R2T [n1/3 – 1] J

6. Excess Pressure N/m 2

2T
(i) for liquid drop  P 
r
4T
(ii) for soap bubble P 
r

7 T= To( 1-   ) Where T – S.T. of liquid at temperature N/m

0C

T0 =S.T. of liquid at temperature 00C  is constant.

Problems

1. Find the work done in blowing a soap bubble of radius 0.5cm(Surface tension of the soap
solution=25×10-3 N/m)
[Ans:1.57×10-5 J]

2. Sixty four drops of mercury, each of radius 1 10-4 m, coalesce to form a single drop. Find the
energy released in this process
Surface tension of mercury=0.49N/m)
[ Ans: 2.954×10-6]

3. A liquid rises to a height of 9 cm in a glass capillary of radius 0.02cm.What will be the height of the
liquid column in a glass capillary of radius 0.03cm?
[Ans: 6cm]

Page 76
 JUNIOR SCIENCE COLLEGE
ANDHERI / BORIVALI / DADAR / NERUL / POWAI / THANE

4. Compare the amounts of work done in blowing soap bubbles of radii 3cm and 4cm
[Ans: 9:16]

5. A cylindrical glass rod having radius 0.5cm is suspended in liquid parafin so that its lower end just
touches the liquid surface. Find the force acting on the slide in the downward direction due to surface
tension (given: The surface tension of paraffin=24dynes/cm)
[Ans:75.41 dynes]

6. Calculate the work done in increasing the radius of a soap bubble in air from 1cm to 2cm.The
surface tension of soap bubble is 30dyne/cm
[Ans:2260 erg]

7. A drop of mercury of radius 0.1cm is broken into 8 droplets of the same size. Find the work done
if surface tension of mercury is 540 dynes/cm
[Ans: 67.82ergs]

8. A liquid rises to a height of 5cm in a glass capillary of radius 0.02cm.What will be the height of the
same liquid column in a glass capillary of radius 0.04cm? (March 2011)

9. A drop of mercury 2 mm in diameter breakes into a million small spherical droplets, all of some size.
Calculate the workdone.) surface tension of mercury = 460 x 10-3 N/m)- (Oct 2011)

10. A liquid rises to a height of 5 cm in a glass capillary of radius 0.02 cm. what will be height of the
same liquid in a glass capillary of radius 0.04cm? - (March 2012)

11. The surface tension of water at 0 C is 75.5 dyne/ cm. find surface tension of water at 25 C.

[ for water = 0.0021 / C]( Ans ; T = 71.52 dyne/cm). –(March 2013)

12. A soap bubble of radius 12 cm. is blown. Surface tension of soap solution is 30 dyne/cm. calculate
the work done in blowing the soap bubble.- (Ans ;1.085x105 dyne). ( Oct 2013 )

13. Calculate the density of a height of paraffin oil, if glass capillary of diameter 0.25 mm dipped in
paraffin oil of surface tension 0.0245 N/m rises to a height of cm.
(Ans: 882.8 kg/m3 (March 2014)
(Angle of contact of paraffin with glass = 28 and acceleration due to gravity = 9.8m/s2.)

14. Water rises to a height 3.2 cm in a glass capillary tube . Find the height to which the same water will
rise in another glass capillary having half area of cross section.

Ans ; ( h = 4.5248 cm–) ( Oct 2014)

15. A raindrop of diameter 4 mm is about to fall on the ground. Calculate the pressure inside the
raindrop.[surface tension of water T = 0.072 N/m, atmospheric pressure = 1.013 x 105 N/m2]
( Ans ;1.013 x 105 N/m2 ) ( Oct 2015)
16. The energy of the free surface of a liquid drop is 5 times the surface tension of the liquid.Find the
diameter of the drop in C.G.S. system. ( Ans ; D = 2.236 m). ( Feb 2016)

17. The total energy of free surface of a liquid drop is 2 times the surface tension of the liquid. What is
the diameter of the drop? (Ans; D = 1,414 m). (March 2017)

Page 77