Question

define surface tension

Answer 1

Surface tension is the elastic tendency of a fluid surface which makes it acquire the least surface area possible. Surface tension allows insects (e.g. water striders), usually denser than water, to float and stride on a water surface.

Answer 2

$\huge \text{Surface\: Tension}$

❁ Surface tension is the property of the liquid due to which the free surface of the liquid like a stretched membrane which tries to contract and occupy minimum surface area.

❁ Surface tension is a vector quantity.

❁ It decreases with increase in temperature and vanishes at critical temperature where the surface vanishes due to the transformation of liquid to vapour.

❁ The dust particles are lubricant (contamination) material particles on the liquid surface decreases surface tension of the liquid this is because of less adhesive force between them.