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Related Concept Videos

Surface Tension01:24

Surface Tension

Surface tension is defined as the force per unit length (γ) acting along the surface of a liquid. It arises due to strong intermolecular forces of attraction. A molecule located inside the bulk of the liquid is surrounded by other molecules and experiences equal forces in all directions. However, a molecule at the surface experiences unbalanced forces because there are more neighboring molecules below than above. This creates a net inward force that pulls surface molecules toward the interior,...
Surface Tension of Fluid01:22

Surface Tension of Fluid

Surface tension is a fundamental property of fluids, occurring at the boundary between a liquid and a gas or between two immiscible liquids. This phenomenon arises from the cohesive forces between molecules at the fluid's surface, creating an effect similar to a stretched elastic membrane. Inside each fluid, molecules are equally attracted in all directions by neighboring molecules, but surface molecules experience a net inward force, resulting in surface tension.
Surface tension varies with...
Surface Tension, Capillary Action, and Viscosity02:57

Surface Tension, Capillary Action, and Viscosity

Surface Tension
The various IMFs between identical molecules of a substance are examples of cohesive forces. The molecules within a liquid are surrounded by other molecules and are attracted equally in all directions by the cohesive forces within the liquid. However, the molecules on the surface of a liquid are attracted only by about one-half as many molecules. Because of the unbalanced molecular attractions on the surface molecules, liquids contract to form a shape that minimizes the number...
Surface Tension and Surface Energy01:16

Surface Tension and Surface Energy

When a paint brush is immersed in water, the bristles wave freely inside the water. When it is taken out, the bristles stick together. The reason behind this effect is surface tension.
Consider a beaker filled with liquid. The bulk molecules in the liquid experience equal attractive forces on all sides with the surrounding molecules. However, the surface molecules experience a net attractive force downward due to the bulk molecules. The surface of the liquid behaves like a stretched membrane,...
Surface Membrane Barriers01:18

Surface Membrane Barriers

The skin and mucous membranes serve as the primary line of defense against pathogens by providing both physical and chemical protection. These barriers are essential in preventing the entry and establishment of microbes, thereby maintaining the integrity of the host.
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...
Excess Pressure Inside a Drop and a Bubble01:13

Excess Pressure Inside a Drop and a Bubble

The shape of a small drop of liquid can be considered spherical, neglecting the effect of gravity. This drop can further be considered as two equal hemispherical drops put together due to surface tension. The forces acting on the spherical drop are due to the pressure of the liquid inside the drop, the pressure due to air outside the drop, and the force due to the surface tension acting on the two hemispherical drops.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Accurate Determination of the Equilibrium Surface Tension Values with Area Perturbation Tests
07:57

Accurate Determination of the Equilibrium Surface Tension Values with Area Perturbation Tests

Published on: August 30, 2019

SPONTANEOUS DECREASE OF THE SURFACE TENSION OF SERUM. I.

P L du Noüy1

  • 1Laboratories of The Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research.

The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|October 30, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers discovered a new phenomenon: serum surface tension spontaneously decreases over time. This change stabilizes after stirring and can be mathematically modeled, offering insights into adsorption processes.

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Physical Chemistry

Background:

  • Surface tension measurements are crucial for understanding serum properties.
  • Previous studies have not detailed the dynamic changes in serum surface tension over time.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the dynamic changes in serum surface tension.
  • To characterize a newly observed phenomenon of spontaneous surface tension decrease.
  • To develop a mathematical model for this phenomenon.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized the ring method for over 3,000 surface tension measurements of sera.
  • Observed changes in surface tension after initial measurements and subsequent stirring.
  • Developed and validated a mathematical equation to describe the observed surface tension dynamics.

Main Results:

  • A spontaneous and rapid decrease in serum surface tension was observed over time, stabilizing within approximately 10 minutes.
  • Stirring induced a temporary rise in surface tension, followed by a similar, albeit slower, decrease and stabilization.
  • A single equation accurately modeled the experimental data (within 0.2% accuracy) and was adaptable to describe adsorption phenomena.
  • Heat and time appeared to inhibit this surface tension decrease.
  • In sera with precipitation, distinct surface tension behaviors were noted between the precipitate layer and the clear upper layer.

Conclusions:

  • Serum exhibits a time-dependent decrease in surface tension, a phenomenon that can be quantitatively modeled.
  • The established equation provides a framework for understanding dynamic surface tension changes and adsorption.
  • Factors like heat, time, and precipitation influence serum surface tension dynamics.