Surface Tension
in liquids, that property in virtue of which a liquid surface behaves as if it were a stretched elastic membrane-say a sheet of indiarubber. (1751); but it was Young who in 1805 The idea is due to Segner first applied it successfully to the exfirst applied it successfully to the exena, such as those of capillarity. The whole subject was subsequently developed in its complete mathematical form by Laplace and Gauss. Pure water has oped in its complete mathematical form whole subject was subsequently devel- ena, such as those of capillarity. The planation of various physical phenomthe highest surface tension of any ordinary liquid except mercury. If a little alcohol be dropped on the wate face tension will be diminished there.
The more powerful surface tension over the pure water will show its superiority water , the surthe pure water will show its superiority ical department. face till the surface is reduced to uniformity, and equilibrium produced. Drops of liquid, free from all but their own molecular forces. assume spherical forms, SURGERY this being the only shape equilibrium under the influence of equal surface tension at all parts of the curved equilibrium under the influence of equal liquid progress because of the action of surface tension, which gives rise to an inward pressure on any convex surface.
In cohesion figures we have some very exquisite phenomena. These are produced by dropping a dark-colored liquid exquisite phenomena. These are prosurface. Ripples on the surface of any consistent with into a transparent liquid of slightly smaller density. Ordinary ink dropped into water will serve the purpose very well, though better effects are obtained potash. As the drop meets the water with a solution of permanganate of well, though better effects are obtained into water will serve the purpose very smaller density. Ordinary ink dropped surface, the action of the surface tensurface, the action of the surface tension pulls the under surface of the drop outward, and transforms the drop into the clear fluid. As it so sinks it breaks up into smaller rings and shoots out fanoutward, and transforms the drop into timately, of course, under the influence of diffusion, the vortex motion decays a vortex ring which slowly sinks through and the dark liquid mixes with the clear liquid. species of duck (Oidemia perspicillata), about the size of a mallard, rarely seen on the British coasts, but frequently on the coasts of Labrador, Hudson Bay, and other parts of North America.