Surface Tension Formula:
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Surface Tension Given Critical Temperature is the energy or work required to increase the surface area of a fluid due to intermolecular forces, calculated based on the relationship with critical temperature.
The calculator uses the surface tension formula:
Where:
Explanation: The equation describes how surface tension decreases as temperature approaches the critical temperature, where the phase boundary vanishes.
Details: Accurate surface tension calculation is crucial for understanding fluid behavior, interfacial phenomena, and various industrial processes involving liquids.
Tips: Enter constant value (ko) in N/m, temperature and critical temperature in Kelvin, and empirical factor. Temperature must be less than critical temperature.
Q1: What is the physical significance of surface tension?
A: Surface tension represents the contractive tendency of liquid surfaces, resulting from cohesive forces between molecules at the interface.
Q2: Why does surface tension decrease with temperature?
A: As temperature increases, molecular kinetic energy increases, reducing the cohesive forces between molecules and thus decreasing surface tension.
Q3: What happens to surface tension at critical temperature?
A: At critical temperature, surface tension approaches zero as the distinction between liquid and vapor phases disappears.
Q4: How is the empirical factor determined?
A: The empirical factor is determined through experimental observations and varies for different liquids based on their molecular properties.
Q5: What are typical values for surface tension?
A: Surface tension values typically range from 20-75 mN/m for common liquids at room temperature, with water having about 72 mN/m at 20°C.