Scribd
Upload
200 views3 pages

Manual SurfaceTensionCapillaryRiseMethod

This document describes a method to determine the surface tension of a liquid using capillary rise. The key steps are: (1) Measure the height risen by the liquid in a capillary tube above the liquid level outside. (2) Measure the radius of the capillary tube. (3) Use the measured height and radius along with equations for the forces of gravity and surface tension to calculate the surface tension. The goal is to balance these forces at equilibrium to solve for the surface tension. Precautions like keeping the tube vertical and avoiding bubbles or impurities are important for an accurate measurement.

Uploaded by

raju
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
200 views3 pages

Manual SurfaceTensionCapillaryRiseMethod

This document describes a method to determine the surface tension of a liquid using capillary rise. The key steps are: (1) Measure the height risen by the liquid in a capillary tube above the liquid level outside. (2) Measure the radius of the capillary tube. (3) Use the measured height and radius along with equations for the forces of gravity and surface tension to calculate the surface tension. The goal is to balance these forces at equilibrium to solve for the surface tension. Precautions like keeping the tube vertical and avoiding bubbles or impurities are important for an accurate measurement.

Uploaded by

raju
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Measurement of Surface Tension of a Liquid by Capillary Rise Method

(PH102: Spring 2021, IIT Gandhinagar)

Objective: To determine the surface tension of a liquid by capillary rise method

Apparatus required:
(i) Capillary tube
(ii) Liquid or liquid solution whose surface tension needs to be determined
(iii) Glass Cuvette
(iv) Traveling microscope
(v) Glass plate to fix the capillary tube(s)
(vi) Base stand for Glass Cuvette
(vii) Support stands and clamps.

Theory:
In the bulk of the liquid, molecules are surrounded by other molecules on all sides. The net force on
each of the molecules in bulk is therefore zero. In contrast, for a molecule on the liquid's surface,
the net resulting force is not zero, but points into the liquid. This net attractive force causes the
liquid surface to contract toward the interior until the repulsive collisional forces from the other
molecules halt the contraction and the surface area is a minimum. If the liquid is not acted upon by
external forces, it will form a sphere as it has the minimum surface area for a given volume. This
can be regularly seen in our day-to-day life.

The surface tensionγ is the ratio of force F to length L along which the force acts to minimize the
surface area.
F
γ= (1).
l

Here, we will determine the surface tension of water by the capillary rise method. Capillarity is the
combined effect of cohesive and adhesive forces that cause the liquid to rise in small diameter
tubes. Obviously, the units of surface tension will be N/m.

There is a rise of water in the capillary for thin capillaries due to its surface tension (Figure 1). The
equilibrium height h is achieved when the surface tension balances the force of gravity due to the
volume of the liquid in the capillary. This equilibrium height can be used to measure the surface
tension of water. At equilibrium, the force due to gravity,
r
F g= ρ∗π r 2 g∗(h+ ) (2).
3
Here, ρ is the density of the water, r is the radius of the capillary, and g is the acceleration due to
gravity.

Forces due to surface tension can be calculated as (see Figure 1),


F=γ∗2 πr∗cosθ (3).

Using (2) and (3),

1
r
γ=
( 3)
r h+
ρg

2 cosθ

Figure 1: The rise of water in a thin capillary tube. The radius of the capillary is r and the height of the liquid above the
surface is h. The contact angle is θ .
Note, surface tension strongly depends on temperature and impurities in the sample. Ponder,
how cosθ can be approximated to be 1?

Procedure:
1. Fix the capillary tube in a holder as shown in the video in the class.
2. Immerse the capillary in the colored water (beaker).
3. Note down the top level of water in the Cuvette (h1).
4. Focus the traveling microscope so that the water's convex meniscus in the capillary can
be seen and note down the Reading (h2 ).
5. Determine h=(h2−h1 ).
6. Determine the radius (r) of the capillary using the traveling microscope.
7. Calculate the surface tension of water.

Observations:

Observation table for height measurement of liquid rise in a capillary:

Microscope reading for the position of Microscope reading for the position of Height
the lower meniscus of liquid the lower tip of the needle (cm)

Main Scale Vernier Total Main Scale Vernier Total


Reading Scale Reading Reading Scale Reading
(cm) Reading (cm) (cm) Reading (cm)

2
Observation table for the radius of capillary tube:

Microscope reading for the position of Microscope reading for the position Radius
the inner right wall of the tube (cm) of the inner left wall of the tube (cm) (cm)

Main Vernier Total Reading Main Vernier Total Reading


Scale Scale (cm) Scale Scale (cm)
Reading Reading Reading Reading
(cm) (cm)

Estimation of error:

Precautions:
(i) Capillary tubes should be kept vertical.
(ii) Impurities in the liquid or the walls of the capillary can affect the surface tension
estimation.
(iii) Air bubbles must be avoided in the liquid.
(iv) Ensure that significant temperature fluctuations can be avoided while performing the
experiments.

You might also like