Surface-Tension-0.mp3
Surface-Tension-0.mp4
Surface-Tension-I.mp3
Surface-Tension-I.mp4
Surface-Tension-intro.mp3
[Intro]
On the water’s edge
(Skimming the top)
Or at the root of it all
(Rise! Do not stop!)
[Verse 1]
Why not walk on water
(Skim the surface)
Droplets….
… form spherical shapes
(The shapes shape take)
[Bridge]
On the surface
(Tension)
Did I mention…
(Gravity versus)
[Chorus]
On the water’s edge
(Skimming the top)
Or at the root of it all
(Rise! Do not stop!)
No! (Never, ever stop)
[Verse 2]
Walking on water further
(The edge of submerge)
Molecules…
… are no fools
(Rather pull it together)
[Bridge]
On the surface
(Cohesive forces)
Did I mention…
(Gravity versus)
[Chorus]
On the water’s edge
(Skimming the top)
Or at the root of it all
(Rise! Do not stop!)
No! (Never, ever stop)
[Outro]
[Instrumental, Guitar Solo]
On the surface
(Cohesive forces surface, surface, surface)
A SCIENCE NOTE
Surface tension is the property of a liquid that makes its surface behave like a stretched elastic sheet. It occurs because the molecules at the surface of the liquid experience an imbalance of forces.
In the bulk of the liquid, molecules are pulled equally in all directions by neighboring molecules due to cohesive forces (the attraction between like molecules). However, at the surface, molecules do not have other liquid molecules above them, so they experience a stronger inward pull from below and the sides. This creates a “skin-like” effect, minimizing the surface area and making the liquid resist external force.
Surface tension is why small insects can walk on water, droplets form spherical shapes, and why water beads up on surfaces like waxed cars. It also plays a crucial role in capillary action, where liquids rise in narrow tubes against gravity, such as in plant roots.