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表面張力
hyōmen chōryoku
surface tension
水の表面張力が水滴を丸く保つ
Surface tension keeps water droplets round
technical
The property of the surface of a liquid that allows it to resist an external force, caused by the attraction between the liquid's molecules.
表面張力が低い洗剤は油を効果的に落とす
Detergents with low surface tension effectively remove oil
Surface tension is measured in units of force per unit length (e.g., dynes/cm).
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Misconception
Surface tension is not the same as viscosity, which is a liquid's resistance to flow.
Gold Rule
Key Concept
Surface tension arises from the imbalance of molecular forces at the surface of a liquid.
Word Origin
From 表面 (hyōmen, 'surface') + 張力 (chōryoku, 'tensile force').
Usage Notes
Often discussed in physics, chemistry, and engineering contexts. The term can also refer to the cohesive forces between molecules at the surface of a liquid.
Word Breakdown
表面
surface
root張力
tensile force
root和英辞典