Question

Why does surface tension act tangentially?

Answer 1

1. A force across a unit lengths lines parallel to the plane but horizontal to the line is known as surface tension.
2. On the other hand, mechanical forces are vectors that are applied to bodies or materials (particles).
3. The equation of surface tension is written as:$S=\frac{\rho hga}{2}$ where $S$ is represented as the surface tension, $\rho$ is the density, $h$is the height, $g$is the acceleration due to gravity, $a$ is the radius.
   
4. Even if the net force acts downward, the surface tension functions tangentially for the following reasons:
   4.1 Tensile tension is caused by particles on the surface exerting equal stress on all sides.
   4.2 The distance between air particles and aqueous particles is greater than the distance between them.
   4.3 The net cohesive force is therefore directed downward.
   4.4 Because if one particle is dragged by the bulk liquid particle, another particle will bounce back to take its place, and the interface will not move due to the net downward force on particles.