Measuring the surface tension of water

[deleted-280074]

My Project is entitled "Measuring the surface tension of water". In this experiment aa single beam balance is used to measure the force exerted by surface tension on a needle. My question is how can I connect this experiment to real life? How does testing the surface tension exerted on a needle in different solutions; water, water with oil, water with detergent help society?

[norman40]

Hi Science4life12,

Surface tension is a phenomenon that shows up in your everyday life in dozens of ways. Soap is used to reduce the surface tension of water and make washing more effective. Paints and inks contain surface tension modifiers to improve their coating characteristics. Capillary transport of water and sap in plants is due to surface tension. More examples and additional information can be found at the following sites:

http://web.mit.edu/nnf/education/wettab ... ndex1.html

https://www.khanacademy.org/science/phy ... d-adhesion

I hope this helps. Please post again if you have more questions.

A. Norman