Hello Dear,

We usually use surface tension when referring to liquids and surface energy when referring to solids, but in reality they are the same thing. Surface tension and surface energy are important because they are measurable numbers that tell us how strong the attraction between molecules is. The surface energy of a liquid (liquid-gaseous interface) can be determined with a simple model experiment. Inside a U-shaped wire frame with a movable hoop at the open end a thin liquid film (e.g. soap solution) is spanned . Surface tension is the tendency of liquid surfaces to shrink into the minimum surface area possible. Surface tension is what allows heavier than water i.e., denser than water objects such as razor blades, insects, to float and slide on a water surface without becoming even partly submerged.

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