Linear or Edge Energy and Tension as Related to the Energy of Surface Formation and of Vaporization

Abstract

The free energy of the edge of a lens of a nonvolatile oil on water is found by a consideration of the magnitude of the molecular energy involved to be very small, and of the order of 3 × 10^‐6 erg per cm. Thus the linear tension of the edge should be of the order of 3 × 10^‐6 dyne. The smallness of the energy does not indicate a lack of importance of the edge, since the molecular energy is higher than in the surface. Linear energy and the presence of edges are of importance in practically all solids, since these are in general built up of crystal grains, and are of special significance in certain biological systems. Equations which give the relation between the free, latent and ``total'' energy of the edge and the latent heat of vaporization, are presented.