Surface tension

Biophysics Dept. UMF C. Davila 2015

Dr. Anca Popescu

Dr. Adrian Iftime http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_tension#mediaviewer/File:Surface_tension_March_2009-3.jpg

Dr. Octavian Călinescu

 Interfaces

Interface = separation surface between two phases:

- Liquid – solid
- Gas – liquid
- Gas – solid
- Liquid – liquid

Surface = separation surface

between a liquid and a
gas/solid
http://www.pharmainfo.net/files/u8603/surfinter.jpg

The behavior of interfaces (interfacial/surface tension) si given by

two types of forces:
Biophysics Dept. UMF C. Davila 2015

- cohesion forces (between molecules of each phase)

- adhesion forces (at the interface, between molecules of
different phases)
 Solid-liquid interface

Non-wetting liquids (A) – the cohesion forces are greater than the
adhesion forces between molecules of liquid and solid
Wetting liquids (B) – the cohesion forces are smaller than the
adhesion forces

contact
angle
A B http://www.chem1.com/acad/sci/wat-images/wetting.png
Biophysics Dept. UMF C. Davila 2015

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRvA481vrmwuhst-
http://2012books.lardbucket.org/books/beginning- FfKxB6eSfrB2YVsxzY_4ASym54spM3EYS1L
chemistry/section_14/1df95bd33829ce7fba2d5373bb72ffd5.jpg
 Solid-liquid interface

A B
Convex Concave
meniscus meniscus
http://www.promma.ac.th/main/chem_online/Chapter11/Images/fig_11_16.gif http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/85/CapillaryAction.svg/2000px-
CapillaryAction.svg.png
Biophysics Dept. UMF C. Davila 2015

Non-wetting liquids (A) – capillary depression

Wetting liquids (B) – capillary ascension
 Liquid-liquid interface

Ex1: oil in water

see also:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=8hucW82Es8E

Ex2: mercury in water

see also:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=6MfVOJMZmRY
Biophysics Dept. UMF C. Davila 2015
 At the interface – liquid-gas adhesion
Surface tension forces are minimal.
The resultant is oriented towards the
interior of the liquid.
The component parallel to the surface is
responsible for its elasticity.

Inside the liquid

intermolecular
attraction forces are
compensated (the
resultant is zero).

http://surface-tension.sita-process.com/uploads/RTEmagicC_Groesse_Oberflaechenspannung1-E_10.jpg.jpg

• Interfacial tension at the liquid-gas interface = surface tension.

Biophysics Dept. UMF C. Davila 2015

• The surface of the liquid behaves as an elastic surface.

• Surface tension tends to minimize the contact surface – in the
absence of other forces (gravitational etc.) drops are spherical.
 The surface tension of water is one of the highest for
any liquid! (see the corresponding lecture)
Biophysics Dept. UMF C. Davila 2015

http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--niKs9t9J--/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_636/17w941jaj23h6jpg.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/2s7bBUS.jpg
 Surface tension

• Symbol: σ (sau γ)

• Unit of measurement: N/m

DEFINITION:

• Surface tension = The force (F) necessary to increase the

perimeter (l) of a liquid surface by a meter (F/l)

• Surface tension = Work (W) necessary to increase the surface (S)

of a liquid by a unit (W/S)
Biophysics Dept. UMF C. Davila 2015

= =
 Surfactants

Surface (interfacial) tension can be reduced by the use of

surfactants (surface acting agents).

Surfactants are amphiphilic molecules (have a polar, hydrophilic

part and a nonpolar, hydrophobic part).
Biophysics Dept. UMF C. Davila 2015

Solubilization of
hydrophobic
substances in micelles
 Biological applications of surfactants
http://www.intechopen.com/source/html/40378/media/image2.png

• Detergent effect of bile acis: they hydrophobic part

decrease the surface tension of fatty
compounds in intestinal juices, facilitating
their dissolution
hydrophilic part
Biophysics Dept. UMF C. Davila 2015

https://classconnection.s3.amazonaws.com/670/flashcards/931670/png/chylo1327674673434.png
 Biological applications of surfactants

• Pulmonary surfactant:
- covers the walls of pulmonary
alveoli
- facilitates re-expansion of alveoli
during inhaling (prevents
alveolar colaps at the end of
exhaling)
- is produced late during
pregnancy – prematurely born
babies have breathing problems
Biophysics Dept. UMF C. Davila 2015
 Experimental application – measurement of surface
tension
• Stalagmometric method: The
number of drops that fall out of a
defined volume of fluid is
counted
• A drop falls when the
gravitational force equals the
surface tension force:
2 =

2 =

= =
2
Biophysics Dept. UMF C. Davila 2015

• We repeat for a reference fluid (water):

= 73 · 10 /
=
2 = 1000 /