The determination of the interfacial tension between two liquids

Abstract

The problems commonly encountered in the measurement of the interfacial tension between two liquids by capillary tube or force measurement are described. In order to avoid such problems, a new method of measurement of the interfacial tension is developed here which is based on the details of axisymmetric capillary waves which can be generated on the interface. Analyses relating these details to the interfacial tension and showing how the details can be measured photographically are given. An apparatus for making these photographic measurements is described and photographs made with such an apparatus are presented. An analysis of these photographs is given which gives the interfacial tensions for the interfaces shown.