The measurement of surface tension: A laboratory experiment

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

“…The cross-sectional area of molecules can be estimated on the basis of surface tension and Gibbs adsorption, yielding particularly valuable information in the study of surface-active agents in aqueous systems. The bubble-pressure method − is useful for surface tension measurement and is an excellent experiment for an undergraduate physical chemistry laboratory because it is a quick method and requires a simple apparatus. A typical apparatus for measuring surface tension in the laboratory is Sugden’s modification device, as shown in Figure .…”

“…It essentially consists of a glass bubbler that mainly contains two capillaries and a sample tube, an open tube manometer, and a dropping funnel that provides gentle suction. However, it takes some skill for students to assemble this equipment because the capillaries must both extend to exactly the same depth in the sample in any one experiment and must be vertical. , Additionally, the maximum pressure measurement is inaccurate. , …”

“…Recently, some modifications ,,− have been made to this classic apparatus. A syringe pump has taken the place of the dropping funnel.…”

“…However, it takes some skill for students to assemble this equipment because the capillaries must both extend to exactly the same depth in the sample in any one experiment and must be vertical. 6,7 Additionally, the maximum pressure measurement is inaccurate. 6,7 Recently, some modifications 1,7,10−14 have been made to this classic apparatus.…”

The design of fluorous chemistry for a middle school classroom, for carbohydrate microarrays, and for the automated solution-phase synthesis of bacterial oligosaccharides from Group A Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus

“…This unit was chosen for modificaitaon because basic versions of this unit in surface chemistry have already been developed for use in the elementary/middle school science curriculum. (Dalvi, and Rossky 2010;Crick, and Parkin 2010) Unfortunately, many of the available surface tension and surface area hands-on experiments are designed for upper level classrooms and are taught with complex math (Hazlehurst 1942;Huang, et al 1999;Dionísio, and Sotomayor 2000;Rosenthal 2001;Poce-Fatou 2006;Lee, et al 2008;Eberhart, and Horner 2010;Brooks 2009) and require equipment and materials that are too expensivee and hazardous for use with younger students. (Arnáiz 1997;Silverstein 1993) Therefore, we developed simpler new labs related to surface area and surface tension at the middle school level with only pre-algebra math skills.…”