surface tension 
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surface tension definition
surface tension
a property of liquids in which the exposed surface tends to contract to the smallest possible area because of unequal molecular cohesive forces near the surface: measured by the force per unit of length
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Alternate definitions:
surface tension Usage Examples
Preposition: of
- water: They are so light that they do not penetrate the surface tension of the water, which supports them.
Converse of object
- reduce: The absence of surfactant, which normally reduces the surface tension in the lungs, leads to collapse.
Modifies a noun
- force: The effect of surface tension forces is particularly dramatically seen in this video clip, which shows the reflow of a BGA.
Preposition: in
- lung: The absence of surfactant, which normally reduces the surface tension in the lungs, leads to collapse.
The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.
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MLA Style
"surface tension." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009
- Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
- <www.yourdictionary.com/surface-tension>
APA Style
surface tension. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary
- Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/surface-tension
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