National Institute of Technology, Hamirpur
Name: Aakarsh Sharma
Roll No. : 21BCH015
Subject Name: Engg. Chemistry Lab( CY-102)
Submitted To: Mr. Chaywan
21BCH015 Aakarsh Sharma Chemical Engineering
National Institute of Technology, Hamirpur
Experiment No. 4
AIM: To determine the surface tension of given liquid at room
temperature by using stalagmometer drop method.
Requirements: Stalagmometer, specific gravity bottle, a small
rubber tube with a screw pinch cork, distilled water, experimental
liquid.
Theory: Surface tension is the tendency of the liquid surface to
shrink into the minimum surface area that is possible.
Simplest example is the formation of drop water due to surface
tension.
It is defined as the ratio of the surface force F to the length L
along which the force acts.
Mathematically,
Surface tension (ϒ) = F/A
At this moment, the weight of drops is in equilibrium state with
the surface tension.
mg= 2πrϒ
The drop falls when the weight ((mg) is equal to the
circumference (2πr) multiplied by the surface tension.
21BCH015 Aakarsh Sharma Chemical Engineering
National Institute of Technology, Hamirpur
The surface tension can be calculated provided the radius of the
tube(r) and mass of the liquid droplet (m) are known.
Alternatively, since the surface tension is proportional to the
weight of the drops, the fluid of interests maybe, compared to a
reference liquid of known surface tension (typically water).
ϒ1/ ϒ2= m1/m2
No. of drops=n1, mass of drops=m1
Total mass= n1 xm1 , m= ρ x V
m1= ρ x V/ n1 m2=ρ x V/n2
V1/V2= ρ1/ρ2 x n2 (Relative surface tension)
Procedure:
1. First the emptied bottle is weighed.
2. Then it is filled with water/ unknown liquid.
3. The densities of the unknown solution and the liquid are
then determined by calculation.
4. The number of drops of water is determined using the
same stalagmometer.
Observations:
Room temp. = 25 o C
21BCH015 Aakarsh Sharma Chemical Engineering
National Institute of Technology, Hamirpur
Volume of bottle= 25mL
Weight of empty bottle= 16.2889 g
Weight of water bottle= 45.2076 g
Weight of water= 28.923 g
Weight of liquid + bottle= 39.227g
Weight of liquid= 22.943 g
Density of water d2= 28.923/25= 1.156 g/mL
Density of liquid d1= 22.943/ 25= 0.9177 g/mL
Surface tension of water (ϒ2) =72.8 dyne/cm
21BCH015 Aakarsh Sharma Chemical Engineering
National Institute of Technology, Hamirpur
n2 drops of water=38
n1 drops of liquid=92
ϒ1/ϒ2= d1/d2 x n2/n1
ϒ1= d1/d2 x n2/n1 x ϒ2 =0.9177/1.156 x 38/92 x 72.8
ϒ1= 23.800 dyne/cm
Result: Surface Tension of unknown sample= 23.800
dyne/cm
Name of unknown liquid= acetone
Precautions:
1. The stalogmometer should be cleaned and dried before
use.
2. While sucking the liquid into the stalogmometer , water
bubble should be formed.
3. Drop formation should be adjusted at a slower rate and
should not exceed15 drops/min.
Significance:
21BCH015 Aakarsh Sharma Chemical Engineering
National Institute of Technology, Hamirpur
The surface tension determines the behavior of the liquids
in number of processors and phenomenon.
21BCH015 Aakarsh Sharma Chemical Engineering
