Temperature Dependence of Surface Tension for Liquid Metals

Abstract

The surface‐tension temperature dependence is calculated for liquid metals. In this calculation the ion motion is taken as a harmonic oscillation and it is shown that the difference in oscillation frequencies for surface and inner ions is mainly responsible for the temperature dependence of the surface tension. There is, however, a second influence caused by the change of particle density due to thermal expansion. An expression for the surface tension is derived and comparison is made with experimental values. The change of oscillator frequency, the surface tension at zero temperature, and a characteristic temperature corresponding to the critical temperature are calculated.