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Celebrating the physics of all that flows

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Celebrating the physics of all that flows

FYFD

  • Browse
    • The Archive
    • Themed Series
    • FYFD Videos
    • Research
    • Phenomena
    • Art
    • Reader Questions
  • Follow
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Search Results for: surface tension

To Beat Surface Tension, Tadpoles Make Bubbles

Nicole Sharp - February 27, 2020February 26, 2020

For tiny creatures, surface tension is a formidable barrier. Newborn tadpoles are much too small and weak to breach the air-water surface in order to breathe. Researchers found that, instead, Keep reading

Tagged biology, biophysics, bubbles, fluid dynamics, frog, physics, science, surface tension, tadpolesLeave a Comment on To Beat Surface Tension, Tadpoles Make Bubbles

Surface Tension’s Pop

Nicole Sharp - March 16, 2017October 10, 2019

Surface tension in a liquid arises from molecular forces. Within a liquid like water, a molecule inside the fluid experiences equal tugs from similar molecules in every direction. A molecule Keep reading

Tagged fluid dynamics, physics, science, soap film, surface tensionLeave a Comment on Surface Tension’s Pop

Reader Question: What is Surface Tension?

Nicole Sharp - December 16, 2013July 28, 2019

Last week reader thesnazz asked: Is there a difference between surface tension and viscosity, or are they two manifestations of the same process and/or principles? If you know a given Keep reading

Tagged fluid dynamics, physics, q&a, reader question, science, surface tensionLeave a Comment on Reader Question: What is Surface Tension?

Surface Tension in Action

Nicole Sharp - February 7, 2013July 3, 2019

Surface tension creates a glassy, smooth layer of water over U.S. swimmer Tyler Clary the instant before he surfaces as he competes in the backstroke. Surface tension arises from intermolecular Keep reading

Tagged fluid dynamics, fluid interface, physics, science, surface tension, swimmingLeave a Comment on Surface Tension in Action

“Surface Tension”

Nicole Sharp - October 19, 2012July 2, 2019

From a series called “Surface Tension,” these ink and water drawings by Marguerite French explore the effects of diffusion, surface tension, and evaporation. The forms left by the thin layer Keep reading

Tagged diffusion, evaporation, fluid dynamics, fluids as art, physics, science, surface tension, thin filmLeave a Comment on “Surface Tension”

Surface Tension Floats Coins

Nicole Sharp - May 4, 2012June 30, 2019

Surface tension arises from intermolecular forces along the interface of a fluid, but despite its molecular origins, it can have some substantial macroscopic effects. Here researchers demonstrate how surface tension Keep reading

Tagged fluid dynamics, science, surface tensionLeave a Comment on Surface Tension Floats Coins

Surface Tension Instability

Nicole Sharp - December 16, 2011June 27, 2019

Droplets of oleic acid spread across a thin film of glycerol on a silicon wafer. The shapes here are driven by hydrodynamic instabilities, particularly Marangoni effects due to the differences Keep reading

Tagged fluid dynamics, instability, marangoni effect, surface tension, thin fluid filmLeave a Comment on Surface Tension Instability

Surface Tension Demo

Nicole Sharp - September 26, 2011June 27, 2019

This simple demonstration shows the power of surface tension, especially at small lengthscales. Another way to break the surface tension holding the water in the sieve would be to spray Keep reading

Tagged education, fluid dynamics, physics, science, surface tension, surfactantLeave a Comment on Surface Tension Demo

Reader Question: Surface Tension vs. Viscosity

Nicole Sharp - January 20, 2011June 25, 2019

lazenby asks: How can superfluid liquid Helium have zero viscosity while retaining surface tension? (assuming something like surface tension is required for a liquid to form drops) The short answer is Keep reading

Leave a Comment on Reader Question: Surface Tension vs. Viscosity

Surface-Tension Supported Walkers

Nicole Sharp - March 1, 2016August 23, 2019

Nature’s smallest water-walkers use surface tension to keep themselves afloat. This includes hundreds of species of invertebrates like insects and spiders as well as the occasional extremely tiny vertebrate, like Keep reading

Tagged biology, fluid dynamics, physics, propulsion, pygmy gecko, science, superhydrophobic, surface tension, water striders, water-walkingLeave a Comment on Surface-Tension Supported Walkers

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FYFD celebrates the physics of all that flows. It was established in 2010 by Nicole Sharp, PhD. You can also follow FYFD on Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.

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