Question

On what factor does the magnitude of the surface tension of a liquid depend?

Answer 1

Surface tension one of the properties of the liquid. It mainly depends upon the forces of attraction between the liquid surface being contacted with either one of solid, liquid, and gas. Sometimes, when we pour water in a glass, it reaches a height that is slightly higher than the height of the glass. This is due to the surface tension. We are going to discuss the factor that is responsible for the magnitude of the surface tension of the liquid.

Complete step-by-step solution:
The water molecules are attracted by the nearby surrounding molecules in all directions due to the surface tension of liquid molecules. It is expressed in joules per unit area $\left( {\dfrac{j}{{{m^2}}}} \right)$. Surface tension also means the force acting on the plane surface to decrease the area. It can be expressed in force per unit length. It is denoted by the symbol $\gamma$(gamma) or $\sigma$ (sigma).
The net force of attraction among molecules decreases when the temperature increases. so that the surface tension decreases.
We came to know that the magnitude of surface tension of a liquid depends upon the intermolecular forces of a molecule, viscosity, and temperature.

Note: The things are much denser than the water can float on the surface of water due to the surface tension. The two concepts that are related to surface tension are the cohesive and adhesive force. Cohesive forces are responsible for the minimum surface area of the liquid. Adhesive forces tend to keep the liquid spread out. Cohesive forces are much stronger than Adhesive forces. water has a surface tension of $0.0727\dfrac{j}{{{m^2}}}$ at $20^\circ C$. Mercury has higher surface tension than other substances.