Objective: Measure the surface tension by the “breakaway” method
To determine the surface tension of a liquid, a blade is immersed horizontally in the liquid and is slowly pulled out upwards while measuring the pulling force. The lamella of liquid that forms at the blade “breaks away” when the force exceeds a certain value. From this force and the length of the blade one can calculate the surface tension.
![Experiment: Surface Tension, 8000575 [UE1080400], Mechanics of Liquids and Gases](/imagelibrary/UE1080400/UE1080400_01_Experiment-Surface-Tension.jpg)
![Experiment: Surface Tension, 8000575 [UE1080400], Mechanics of Liquids and Gases](/thumblibrary/UE1080400/UE1080400_01_1200_1200_Experiment-Surface-Tension.jpg)
![Blue Food Colouring, 1000793 [U8410620], Consumables](/thumblibrary/U8410620/U8410620_01_140_140_Blue-Food-Colouring.jpg)
![Tripod Stand 150 mm, 1002835 [U13270], Bases](/thumblibrary/U13270/U13270_01_140_140_Tripod-Stand-150-mm.jpg)
![Stainless Steel Rod 750 mm, 1002935 [U15003], Stainless Steel Rod](/thumblibrary/U15003/U15003_01_140_140_Stainless-Steel-Rod-750-mm.jpg)
![Clamp with Hook, 1002828 [U13252], Clamps](/thumblibrary/U13252/U13252_01_140_140_Clamp-with-Hook.jpg)
![Set of 10 Beakers,600 ml, Low Form, 1002872 [U14210], Glassware](/thumblibrary/U14210/U14210_01_140_140_Set-of-10-Beakers-600-ml-Low-Form.jpg)
![Laboratory Jack II, 1002941 [U15020], Jacks](/thumblibrary/U15020/U15020_01_140_140_Laboratory-Jack-II.jpg)
![Precision Dynamometer 0.1 N, 1003102 [U20030], Dynamometers](/thumblibrary/U20030/U20030_01_140_140_Precision-Dynamometer-01-N.jpg)
![Surface Tension Ring, 1000797 [U8412160], Mechanics of Liquids](/thumblibrary/U8412160/U8412160_01_140_140_Surface-Tension-Ring.jpg)
![Calipers, 150 mm, 1002601 [U10071], Measurement of Length](/thumblibrary/U10071/U10071_01_140_140_Calipers-150-mm.jpg)
![Universal Clamp, 1002830 [U13255], Clamps](/thumblibrary/U13255/U13255_01_140_140_Universal-Clamp.jpg)
![Stainless Steel Rod 1000 mm, 1002936 [U15004], Rods](/thumblibrary/U15004/U15004_01_140_140_Stainless-Steel-Rod-1000-mm.jpg)
![Tubing, Silicone 6 mm, 1002622 [U10146], Hose, Flow hose](/thumblibrary/U10146/U10146_01_140_140_Tubing-Silicone-6-mm.jpg)
![Digital Stopwatch, 1002811 [U11902], Measurement of Time](/thumblibrary/U11902/U11902_01_140_140_Digital-Stopwatch.jpg)
![Table Clamp, 1002832 [U13260], Clamps](/thumblibrary/U13260/U13260_01_140_140_Table-Clamp.jpg)
![Set of 15 Safety Experiment Leads, 75 cm, 2.5 mm², 1002843 [U138021], Circuits](/thumblibrary/U138021/U138021_01_140_140_Set-of-15-Safety-Experiment-Leads-75-cm-25-mm.jpg)
![Graduated Cylinder, 100 ml, 1002870 [U14205], Glassware](/thumblibrary/U14205/U14205_01_140_140_Graduated-Cylinder-100-ml.jpg)
![SEK Mechanical Oscillations and Waves (230 V, 50/60 Hz), 1016652 [U61020-230], Experiment Kits - Higher Level](/thumblibrary/U61020-230/U61020-230_01_140_140_SEK-Mechanical-Oscillations-and-Waves-230-V-5060-Hz.jpg)
![Ultrasonic Adapter Lead, 1018750 [U8557390], Experiment Leads and Cables](/thumblibrary/U8557390/U8557390_01_140_140_Ultrasonic-Adapter-Lead.jpg)
![Experiment: Maxwell’s Wheel, 8000753 [UE1040320-230/115], Rotational motions](/thumblibrary/UE1040320-230-115/UE1040320-230-115_01_140_140_Experiment-Maxwell-s-Wheel.jpg)