Profile Analysis Tensiometers
Advanced instruments for surface and interfacial characterization.
Surface & Interfacial Tension · Chapter 03
Interfacial Physics
Physical relations between interfacial tension, curvature and pressure differences across liquid interfaces.
Chapter contents
04
Scientific topics
Chapter Overview
From interface curvature to measurable pressure.
Curved liquid interfaces generate pressure differences between adjoining phases. The magnitude of this pressure difference depends on the interfacial tension and the geometry of the interface.
The Young–Laplace equation provides the central physical relation linking these quantities and forms the basis of many capillary and drop-shape measurement techniques used in surface and interfacial characterization.
Physics Library
Explore the physics of curved interfaces.
Scientific topics covering curvature, capillary pressure and the mechanical relations governing drops and bubbles.
01
Fundamental equation
Young–Laplace Equation
The Young–Laplace equation relates the pressure difference across a curved interface to interfacial tension and the principal radii of curvature.
Young–Laplace equationInterfacial tensionCurvature
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02
Interfacial mechanics
Capillary Pressure
A curved interface sustains a pressure difference between its two sides that is balanced mechanically by interfacial tension acting through curvature.
Capillary pressurePressure differenceDrops & bubbles
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03
Interface geometry
Curvature of Liquid Interfaces
The curvature of an interface is described by its principal radii and determines, together with interfacial tension, the corresponding capillary pressure.
Principal radiiInterface curvatureDrop geometry
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04
Drop shape physics
Gravity and Density Difference in Drop Shape Analysis
The shape of a millimetric drop reflects competition between interfacial tension and gravity, while the density difference between the phases determines the gravitational deformation available for profile analysis.
Density differenceGravityDrop deformation
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