Explosive Decomposition of Nitrogen Triiodide
Volume Increase Upon Neutralization
Dissolution of a Binary Mixture
Shapes of Soap Films and Bubbles
Surface Spreading and Surface Tension
Surface Tension of Water: The Floating Paper Clip
Will a Tissue Hold Water? Interfacial Tension
Surface Tension: Floating Duck
Effect of Heating a Rubber Band and a Spring
Surface Tension With Oil and Pepper
Household Chemical Density Column
Evaporation as an Endothermic Process
Surface Spreading and Surface Tension
The first photo shows two petri dishes with black specks in clear liquids. A dark object appears above the petri dish on the right side of the photo. In the second photo, pipettes appear above each dish. In the left dish, black specks form a circle in the middle of the liquid. In the right petri dish, black specks cling to the outer edge of the petri dish.
Description: Drops of mineral oil and olive oil placed on water are compared for their spreading properties.
Source: Shakhashiri, B.Z. Chemical Demonstrations: A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry
Year: 1989 Vol: 3 Page: 301
Keywords: Surface tension, Water, Olive Oil, Mineral Oil
Rating: 
Hazard: Low
- Nonreactive reagents
- Standard conditions
- No use of toxic chemicals
- Electric shock hazard if display is used
Effectiveness: Good
- Clear contrast between behavior of systems
- Low failure rate
- Results are clearly observable
- Good connection from demo to course material
Difficulty: Medium
- Simple adding of nonreactive agents
- Demos in which a display is used
Safety Precautions:
- Eye protection
- Gloves recommended
- Use UL approved three-prong plug and outlet
Class: Intermolecular Forces, Inter-Phase Forces, Thermodynamics
Division: General, Physical Chemistry
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