Wall effects in measurement of surface tension using a vertical cylinder. Part 1.—Theory

Abstract

A theoretical model is developed for the calculation of surface tension from the maximum force on a vertical cylinder. The model applies to a cylinder withdrawn axisymmetrically from a circular container and allows for liquid contact angles at the container wall between 0 and 180°. Detailed theoretical results are given when the contact angle is zero, as most often encountered in experiments. In this case large positive errors in the calculated values of surface tension are predicted when the wall is close to the cylinder and the interface is incorrectly assumed to be infinite.