Accurate Determination of Surface Tension using a Traube Stalagmometer and a Low Cost Experimental Design

P Ramasami (p.ramasami@uom.ac.mu) and S D V V Rughooputh (soonil@uom.ac.mu) Faculty of Science, University of Mauritius, Rduit, Mauritius 1. Introduction
Surface tension of a liquid is due to the cohesive attraction of the molecules of the liquid to each other. It is an important characteristic of any liquid as there are other parameters [1-3] that can be derived. Since surface tension depends on the extent of interactions between molecules, it is thus dependent on those factors affecting interactions of molecules such as temperature [4] and the presence of other components [5]. Measurement of surface tension is based on the measurement of the force of interactions between a certain device and the surface of the liquid. Devices commonly employed the DuNouy Ring [6-8] or the Wilhelmy Plate [9] methods. Apart form these methods, there is also the drop weight method [10]. In this case the shape of a drop of liquid from a capillary is dependent upon different forces including the surface tension of the liquid This work illustrates the use of a low cost arrangement and the Traube Stalagmometer (LX6310 from Labglass) [11] for accurate determination

2. Methods (Contd..)
The distance (c) in millimetres on the graduated upper or lower capillary scales was determined for the calibration of the capillary scale. The actual drop number was determined using:
x-y N = No + c

(2)

where N is the drop number for the liquid to the nearest tenth of a drop, No is the whole number of drops counted between the capillary scales x, y and c capillary scale calibration in millimetres per drop. The density of the liquid at a given temperature was determined by 3 collecting exactly 3.50 cm of the liquid from the stalagmometer and then it mass was determined. All measurements of number of drops and densities were done in triplicate and the average values were used for calculations of

3. Set up

2. Methods
A Mettler Toledo AB 204-M balance with a precision of 1 x 10 g was used for measurement of mass. A glass vessel with dimension 20 cm x 20 cm x 30 cm was immersed in a water bath with dimension 45 cm x 25 cm x 30 cm. A thermostat was used to maintain the temperature of the bath with an accuracy of 0.1 K. Dry air was passed into a coiled copper pipe dipped in the water bath and then was circulated into the inner vessel. The temperature of the water bath and temperature inside the inner vessel were monitored using two thermometers accurate to 0.1 K. The stalagmometer was mounted in a vertical position inside the inner vessel. A counter was used to record the number of drops of liquid issuing from the stalagmometer. Calcium hydroxide was used to maintain dryness in the inner vessel. Mechanical noise and vibrations, caused by vehicles, or people, greatly affect the stability of the drop weight method. Thus the whole apparatus was decoupled from the building by placing the set up on a vibration free table made of granite with 120 cm x 100 cm x 20 cm. A metal slab of about 3.5 kg was laid in the inner vessel and the latter was covered with a polystyrene slab, the water bath was kept almost fully filled. The stalagmometer is essentially a pipette with a broad flattened tip, which permits large drops of reproducible size to form and finally drop under the action of gravity. The weight of each drop can be calculated from the volume of the pipette, from the number of drops that fall and from the density of the sample. However it is easier to calculate surface tension based on the number of drops which fall, the density of the sample, and the surface tension of a reference liquid (distilled water). The drop weights are proportional to surface tension so that surface tension of a liquid is given by :
s W NW r L sL = N L rW
-4

3. Studies carried out

1. Surface Tension and Related Thermodynamic Parameters of Alcohols. [12] 2. Surface Tension and Related Thermodynamic Parameters of Alcohol and Water Mixtures 3. Surface Tension and Related Thermodynamic Parameters of Alcohol, Water and Sodium Chloride Mixture 4. Surface Tension and Related Thermodynamic Parameters of Alcohol, Water and Sodium Bromide Mixture 5. Critical micelle concentration of sodium dodecyl sulphate in water and aqueous solution of sodium chloride 6. Critical micelle concentration of Cetyl ammonium bromide in water and aqueous solution of sodium chloride

4. References
1. Vavruch I 1989 Colloids and Surface 40 85-91 2. Maroto J A, Nieves F J de las and Quesada-Prez M 2004 Eur. J. Phys. 25 297-301 3. Tahery R, Satherly J and Modarress H 2004 Cell. Mol. Biol Lett. 9 129-132 4. Reiss H, Frisch H L and Lebowitz J L 1959 J. Chem. Phys. 31 369-380 5. Abramzon A A and Grigorev S N 1993 Russ. J. Gen. Chem. 63 1007-1011 6. Harkins W D and Jordan H F 1930 J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 52 1751-1772 7. Freud B B and Freud H Z 1930 J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 52 1772-1782 8. Huh C and Mason G 1975 Colloid Polym. Sci. 253 268-280 9. Pallas N R 1983 Colloids and Surface 6 221-227 10. Hansen F K and Rodsrun G 1991 J. Colloid Interf. Sci. 141 1-12 11. http://www.wilmad-labglass.com/index.jsp (accessed May 2005) 12. Dilmohamud B A, Seeneevassen J, Rughooputh S D D V and Ramasami P 2005 Eur. J. Phys. 26 1079-1084

(1)

where is surface tension, N is number of drops, is density, L is liquid and W is water. The tip of the stalagmometer was immersed into the liquid and the liquid was drawn up to a point slightly above the graduation mark. The initial capillary reading (x in mm) of the meniscus at the moment the drop fall was recorded. A counter was used to monitor the drop number and the final capillary reading (y in mm) at the moment the last drop fall was also noted.

Acknowledgements
The authors wish to acknowledge contributions of H.L. Boojhowon, B. Seebundhun, P. Chutturdharry, L. Cupoor, R.K. Sreeruttun and facilities from the University of Mauritius.