Question

What are the applications of viscosity,surface tension and refractive index?

Answer 1

Answer:

SURFACE TENSION

Surface tension is the elastic tendency of a fluid surface which makes it acquire the least surface area possible.The cohesive forces between liquid molecules are responsible for the phenomenon.

APPLICATIONS;

Some notable applications of surface tension are:

● A needle placed on water can be made to float due to the surface tension of water.

● Warm water is used for washing purpose as heating increases the surface area and reduces surface tension.

● Mosquito eggs can float on water because of its surface tension.

● Toothpaste contains soap, which reduces the surface tension and helps it spread freely in the mouth.

● Surface tension prevents water from passing through the pores of an umbrella.

● Antiseptics like Dettol have low surface tension, so that they spread faster.

VISCOSITY;

Viscousity is like frictional force. It is basically just another force inside liquid,easily recognisable and hence has been in general practice without any greater significance. e.g.

APPLICATIONS;

• Painting depends upon viscosity of the colours used. Same with wall paints.
• Pen's ink could be one , preparation of which will take account of viscousity.
• Could be considered for making dows( for dosa, chapattis)
• The most significant use of viscousity is done in organic chemistry, in measuring molecular weight of compounds.

REFRECTIVE INDEX;

,The index of reflection , or refractive index , is defined as the ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum to the speed of light in a material.

APPLICATIONS;

The index of reflection is an important property of optical materials and one that can be easily measured in the laboratory.

• The refractive index is a very important property of the components of any optical instruments that uses refraction.
• It determines the focusing power of lenses, the dispersive power of prisms, and generally the path of light through the system.
• It is the increase in refractive index in the core that guides the light in an ooptical fiber , and the variations in refractive index that reduces the reflectivity of a surface treated with an anti reflective coating .

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