Optimized and Refined Apparatus for Measuring Surface Tension with the Bubble-Pressure Method

Abstract

A modified apparatus for measuring surface tension with the bubble-pressure method is proposed. Compared with a traditional instrument, this apparatus improved the accuracy of maximum pressure difference measurement and achieved the hydrostatic pressure correction. The apparatus was employed to determine the surface tension values of distilled water and ethanol, respectively, at different temperatures. Additionally, the cross-sectional area of the ethanol molecule was obtained from the surface tension of ethanol solutions with different concentrations and Gibbs adsorption. It was found that all measured values were in accordance with literature data. Thus, the improved device exhibited excellent accuracy and reliability. Furthermore, all of the instrumental components were assembled into one body, making it easy for undergraduate students to operate.

Directional Motion of Gallium-Based Liquid Metal Induced by Asymmetric Chemical Surrounding

“…Surface tension has been a significant topic in chemical education as evidenced by the inclusion of this concept in physical chemistry textbooks and a multitude of papers − published in this Journal. For instance, some studies have introduced simple apparatuses to demonstrate the effects of surface tension on liquids, while others have developed various methods to accurately measure surface tension. − Additionally, the flotation of glass coverslips on water has been used to explore the self-assembly of molecular monolayers . The motion of solids and liquids was studied as an educational demonstration of surface tension.…”