surface tension

surface tension   n.   A property of liquids arising from unbalanced molecular cohesive forces at or near the surface, as a result of which the surface tends to contract and has properties resembling those of a stretched elastic membrane. A measure of this property.

surface tension

The force exerted along the surface of a fluid that causes it to “bead up” and form into drops. Water has high surface tension and beads up easily; alcohol has low surface tension and does not often show droplets.

Main Entry: surface tension
Function: noun
: the attractive force exerted upon the surface molecules of a liquid by the molecules beneath that tends to draw the surfacemolecules into the bulk of the liquid and makes the liquid assume the shape having the least surface area

surface tension n.

1. A property of liquids arising from unbalanced molecular cohesive forces at or near the surface, as a result of which the surface tends to contract and exhibit properties resembling those of a stretched elastic membrane.

2. A measure of this property.