surface tension

Definition

Surface tension is the force that acts on the surface of a liquid, causing it to behave like a stretched rubber sheet. It is caused by the attraction of the molecules in the liquid to each other. The molecules on the surface are attracted to the molecules in the liquid below them, but they are not attracted to the air above them. This causes the surface to be pulled tight, like a stretched rubber sheet.

How can the word be used?

Surface tension is an important property of liquids that has many applications.

Different forms of the word

Noun: surface tension.

Adjective: surface-tensional.

Etymology

The word "surface tension" comes from the Latin words "superficies" (surface) and "tensio" (tension). It was first used in English in the 17th century.

There are no other forms of the word "surface tension".

The etymology of the word "surface tension" is interesting because it shows how the word is related to its meaning. The word "superficies" literally means "surface", and "tensio" literally means "tension", so surface tension literally means "tension on the surface".

Question

What is surface tension?