surface tension

American  

[sur-fis ten-shuhn] / ˈsɜr fɪs ˌtɛn ʃən /

noun

Physics.

1. the elasticlike force existing in the surface of a body, especially a liquid, tending to minimize the area of the surface, caused by asymmetries in the intermolecular forces between surface molecules.

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surface tension British  

noun

1. a property of liquids caused by intermolecular forces near the surface leading to the apparent presence of a surface film and to capillarity, etc

2.  T.   γ.   σ.  a measure of this property expressed as the force acting normal to one side of a line of unit length on the surface: measured in newtons per metre

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surface tension Scientific  

/ sûr′fəs /

1. A property of liquids such that their surfaces behave like a thin, elastic film. Surface tension is an effect of intermolecular attraction, in which molecules at or near the surface undergo a net attraction to the rest of the fluid, while molecules not near the surface are attracted to other molecules equally in all directions and undergo no net attraction. Because of surface tension, the surface of a liquid can support light objects (such as water beetles on the surface of a pond). Surface tension is responsible for the spherical shape of drops of liquid; spheres minimize the surface area of the drop and thus minimize surface tension.

2. See also capillary action meniscus

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surface tension Cultural  

1. The force exerted along the surface of a fluid that causes it to “bead up” and form into drops. Water has high surface tension and beads up easily; alcohol has low surface tension and does not often show droplets.

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Etymology

Origin of surface tension

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

When a raindrop lands on the floating dielectric film, the water beneath it provides the strength needed to absorb the impact because of its incompressibility and surface tension.

From Science Daily • Nov. 15, 2025

To improve reliability further, the team used water's strong surface tension to design drainage holes that let water move downward but not upward.

From Science Daily • Nov. 15, 2025

When pH increases, this glue weakens, causing molecules to spread out and lowering surface tension, which in turn makes it easier for molecules to move.

From Science Daily • Apr. 25, 2024

For larger species, including humans, gravity and inertia are central to how fast the body can push out urine, and can easily counteract surface tension forces.

From New York Times • Mar. 11, 2024

He had started with one anomaly, the floating chip of ebony, and discovered another, the floating needle; as a consequence he had done his best to make sense of surface tension.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton