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Surface Tension, Capillary Action, and Viscosity

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...

Cohesion

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Cohesion is the attraction between molecules of the same type, such as water molecules. Water molecules have an overall neutral charge but are polar molecule. An oxygen atom in one water molecule has a partial negative charge that can bind to a hydrogen atom with a partial positive charge in a second water molecule, forming a hydrogen bond. Each water molecule can form up to four hydrogen bonds with other water molecules. Hydrogen bonds are responsible for water's cohesive nature.
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Solubility

Solubility

Solution, Solubility, and Solubility Equilibrium
A solution is a homogeneous mixture composed of a solvent, the major component, and a solute, the minor component. The physical state of a solution—solid, liquid, or gas—is typically the same as that of the solvent. Solute concentrations are often described with qualitative terms such as dilute (of relatively low concentration) and concentrated (of relatively high concentration).
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Adhesion

Adhesion

Adhesion occurs when one type of molecule is attracted to a different molecule. Water exhibits adhesive properties in the presence of polar surfaces, such as glass or cellulose in plants. For instance, when water is poured into a glass, the positively charged hydrogen molecules of water are more attracted to the negatively charged oxygen molecules in the silica than to the oxygen in neighboring water molecules.
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Surface Tension of Fluid

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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.
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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.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 9, 2025

Rendering SiO2/Si Surfaces Omniphobic by Carving Gas-Entrapping Microtextures Comprising Reentrant and Doubly Reentrant Cavities or Pillars

Rendering SiO2/Si Surfaces Omniphobic by Carving Gas-Entrapping Microtextures Comprising Reentrant and Doubly Reentrant Cavities or Pillars

Published on: February 11, 2020

Hierarchical structures for natural superhydrophobic surfaces.

W Li¹, A Amirfazli²

¹Key Laboratory of Low Dimensional Materials and Application Technology (Ministry of Education) and Faculty of Materials and Optoelectronic Physics, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, Hunan 411105, China and Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G8s, Canada.

|September 10, 2020

Summary

Nature

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Area of Science:

Surface Science
Materials Science
Thermodynamics

Background:

Superhydrophobicity in natural surfaces is extensively studied for artificial surface design.
The function of hierarchical structures in superhydrophobic surfaces remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the role of hierarchical structures in natural superhydrophobic surfaces.
To understand the thermodynamic principles behind durable superhydrophobic surfaces.

Main Methods:

Thermodynamic free energy analysis.
Analysis of surface geometry and material properties.
Development of criteria for structural design.

Main Results:

Hierarchical structures combined with hydrophobic materials create stable composite states.
Dual-scale hierarchical geometry ensures both wetting properties and mechanical durability.
A mechanistic/thermodynamic explanation for nature's durable superhydrophobic surfaces is provided.

Conclusions:

Nature utilizes hierarchical structures and hydrophobic materials for mechanically robust superhydrophobic surfaces.
Understanding these principles can inspire the design of advanced artificial surfaces.
This research offers a thermodynamic basis for superhydrophobicity and mechanical stability.