Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Microtensiometer for Confocal Microscopy Visualization of Dynamic Interfaces
Published on: September 9, 2022
Nanoroughness, intrinsic density profile, and rigidity of the air-water interface
Felix Sedlmeier1, Dominik Horinek, Roland R Netz
1Physik Department, Technische Universität München, 85748 Garching, Germany.
Abstract:
From large-scale molecular dynamics simulations of the free water surface the capillary wave spectrum is obtained and analyzed in terms of a wave vector dependent surface tension. The bending rigidity is positive but suggested to change sign in the presence of long-range dispersive interactions. Nanoroughness and capillary waves give rise to a scale-dependent density profile that displays minimal broadening at a nanometer scale which defines the intrinsic density profile.
Related Concept Videos
Surface Tension, Capillary Action, and Viscosity
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...
Viscosity
The SI unit of viscosity is...
Density
Surface Tension of Fluid
Surface tension varies with...
Fluid Pressure over Flat Plate of Constant Width
The resultant force...
Density, Specific Weight, Specific Gravity and Compressibility of Fluid
Specific weight represents the weight per unit volume and is calculated by multiplying density...
