What is surface tension?

 

                                                                 

                        SURFACE TENSION                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                                                                        

Surface tension is a physical property of liquids which describes the tendency of liquid surfaces to shrink into the least surface area possible. It arises from the cohesive forces between liquid molecules, which are stronger at the surface because the molecules are not surrounded by similar molecules on all sides. This creates a "skin" effect on the surface of the liquid.

In practical terms, surface tension that allows objects which are denser than water, like a paperclip, to float if placed carefully on the surface. It also plays a key role in phenomena such as the formation of droplets, the ability of some insects to walk on water, and the behavior of bubbles. Surface tension is typically measured in force per unit length, such as dynes per centimeter or newtons per meter.