Aim: To determine the surface tension of given liquid by drop count method using
stalagmometer.
Theory
The surface tension (γ) is defined as the force in dynes acting along the surface of a liquid at
right angle to any line 1 cm in length. Surface tension is caused by the net inward pull on the
surface molecules. The inward forces on the surface molecules minimize the surface area and
form a drop. Units of Surface Tension CGS unit of Surface is dyne cm–1. SI unit of Surface is
is Nm–1.
The stalagmometer consist of a glass capillary tube with a bulb at the middle. There is a
capillary bore at the tip of the stalagmometer. The surface tension of the liquid can be
calculated using following formula.
liquid liquid nwater
water water nliquid
where, ρ1 = density of known liquid. (water)
ρ2 = density of unknown liq. (liquid)
n1 = no. of drops of known liquid. (water)
n2 = no. of drops of unknown liquid. (liquid)
𝛾1= surface tension of known liq. (water)
𝛾2 = surface tension of unknown liq. (liquid)
REQUIREMENTS
Apparatus:
Stalagmometer,
Beakers,
Measuring cylinder.
Chemicals:
Water,
Acetone/Ethanol/Methanol
PROCEDURE
Part-I: Determination of densities of water and given liquid (Acetone/Ethanol/Methanol)
1. Clean the density bottle with chromic acid solution and then with distilled water. Rinse
with water and ether and then dry.
2. Weigh an empty density bottle (W1).
3. Fill the density bottle with distilled water completely, insert the stopper and weigh again
(W2).
4. Take out the distilled water and rinse the density bottle 2-3 times with given experimental
liquid (Acetone/Ethanol/Methanol).
5. Fill the given experimental liquid (Acetone/Ethanol/Methanol) into the density bottle and
record the weight again (W3).
Part-II: Determination of surface tension
1. Clean the stalagmometer with chromic acid solution and then with distilled water. Rinse
with water and ether and then dry.
2. Attach the stalagmometer to the burette stand in exactly vertical position.
3. Hold a beaker containing distilled water and dip the lower end of stalagmometer in it.
Suck the distilled water just above the mark ‘A’.
4. Allow water to flow freely. Adjust the flow rate so that it should deliver 15 to 20 drops
per minutes (3-4 drops in 15 sec).
5. Count the number of drops falling between marks ‘A’ and ‘B’.
6. Repeat the recording of number of drops three times for distilled water as well as for the
given experimental liquid (Acetone/Ethanol/Methanol).
Observations and Calculations
Part-I: Determination of densities of water and given liquid (Acetone/Ethanol/Methanol)
1) Room temperature = …………… °C
2) Weight of empty density bottle= W1= …………. g.
3) Weight of density bottle with water= W2= …………. g.
4) Weight of density bottle with given liquid (ethanol) = W3= …………. g.
5) Volume of density bottle =V= ………. ml
Part-II: Determination of surface tension of given liquid (ethanol)
LIQUID NO OF DROPS DENSITY SURFACE TENSION
1 2 3 MEAN
WATER
METHANOL
ACETONE
Result:
Surface tension of given liquid (ethanol) was found to be ………… dyne cm-1
Surface tension of water at room temperature = ……… dyne cm-1