Free surface of a liquid behaves like a sheet and tends to contract to...
Explanation:
When a liquid is exposed to the atmosphere, the surface of the liquid behaves like a sheet and tends to contract to the smallest possible area. This phenomenon is due to the force of cohesion.
Cohesion is the attractive force between molecules of the same substance. In the case of a liquid, the molecules on the surface are attracted to each other more strongly than they are to the air molecules above them. This creates a net inward force that causes the surface of the liquid to contract.
Some other factors that can affect the surface tension of a liquid include:
- Temperature: Generally, surface tension decreases with increasing temperature.
- Pressure: Increasing pressure can increase surface tension.
- Presence of impurities: Adding impurities to a liquid can decrease its surface tension.
In summary, the free surface of a liquid contracts due to the force of cohesion between its molecules.
Free surface of a liquid behaves like a sheet and tends to contract to...
Cohesive forces are the intermolecular forces (such as those from hydrogen bonding and Van der Waals forces) which cause a tendency in liquids to resist separation. These attractive forces exist between molecules of the same substance