Measurement of the surface tension of water detergent solution: An informative study for the general public

Authors

M. Tan ⋅ PH Department of Physics, University of San Carlos
Mary Jane Sanchez ⋅ PH Department of Physics, University of San Carlos
Adonis Flores ⋅ PH Department of Physics, University of San Carlos
R. Cabrera ⋅ PH Department of Physics, University of San Carlos
Renante Violanda ⋅ PH Department of Physics, University of San Carlos

Abstract

We performed an experiment to test the ability of various commercially available detergents to lower the surface tension of water. Powdered detergent of known mass is dissolved in tap water and the corresponding change in the surface tension was recorded. Determination of the surface tension employed the Du Nouy ring method. A strain gauge (custom made using variable resistors) interfaced to a computer via a data acquisition card (DAQ, LabView) was used to measure the surface tension force. This enables us to obtain as many trials as possible with only little processing time, thereby making our results more accurate and reliable. Results show no significant difference among the sampled detergents in lowering the surface tension.

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Issue

2003: Proceedings of the 21st Samahang Pisika ng Pilipinas Physics Congress

Creating essential bridges uniting physics, society and industry
22-25 October 2003, University of San Carlos, Cebu City

Article ID

SPP-2003-PB-12

Section

Poster Session PB

Published

2003-10-22

How to Cite

[1]

M Tan, MJ Sanchez, A Flores, R Cabrera, and R Violanda, Measurement of the surface tension of water detergent solution: An informative study for the general public, Proceedings of the Samahang Pisika ng Pilipinas 21, SPP-2003-PB-12 (2003). URL: https://proceedings.spp-online.org/article/view/SPP-2003-PB-12.