MPharm Programme: Surface Tension & Surfactants
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Questions and Answers

What effect do soaps and detergents have on surface tension?

  • They only affect surface tension at high temperatures.
  • They lower surface tension. (correct)
  • They have no effect on surface tension.
  • They increase surface tension significantly.
  • At what temperature is the surface tension of water measured as 72 mN m-1?

  • 50°C
  • 0°C
  • 25°C (correct)
  • 100°C
  • Which substance listed has the lowest surface tension?

  • Ethanol (correct)
  • Glycerol
  • Octanol
  • Mercury
  • What is the surface tension of mercury, as given in the values?

    <p>480 mN m-1 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to surface tension in the presence of impurities?

    <p>Surface tension decreases. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What phenomenon causes the surface molecules of water to exhibit a 'skin' that resists puncture?

    <p>Cohesive forces (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the typical lifetime of a molecule at the surface of water?

    <p>1 microsecond (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the definition of surface tension?

    <p>The force acting parallel to the surface along a 1m line (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What energy is required to increase the surface area of a liquid isothermally and reversibly by 1 m²?

    <p>Surface free energy (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How are surface tension and surface free energy related?

    <p>They are numerically equivalent (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect does increasing the temperature have on the surface tension of water?

    <p>It decreases the surface tension significantly (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is hot water considered a better cleaning agent than cold water?

    <p>It has a lower surface tension (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the surface tension of water at 25°C?

    <p>72 mN m-1 (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is defined as the transition region where two immiscible phases contact each other?

    <p>Interface (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following describes the phenomenon where water droplets form a spherical shape?

    <p>They minimize surface area to reduce energy. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What occurs at the liquid-liquid interface compared to the gas-liquid interface?

    <p>Interfacial tension is higher in gas-liquid interfaces. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement about surface free energy is correct?

    <p>Reducing the surface area reduces the energy. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relation between particle size and surface free energy in solids?

    <p>Finer particles have increased surface area and energy. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main characteristic of a surface that is different from the bulk in terms of energy?

    <p>Surface has higher energy than the bulk. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why are fine particles challenging to handle?

    <p>They exhibit higher surface free energy. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which term refers to the energy difference between the surface and bulk of a substance?

    <p>Surface free energy (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the angle θ indicate when measuring contact angle for surfactants?

    <p>The degree of wetting (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the Wilhelmy Plate method, what is the required condition for accurate measurement of surface tension?

    <p>The plate must be completely wetted. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which formula correctly represents the relationship between force, perimeter, and surface tension in the Wilhelmy Plate method?

    <p>$ au = F/P$ (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    If the force needed to detach a Wilhelmy Plate from a liquid is measured at 3 mN, and the perimeter of the plate is 0.049 m, what is the surface tension of the liquid?

    <p>61.22 mN/m (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of a contact angle of θ < 90°?

    <p>The surface is hydrophilic. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is the Wilhelmy Plate method considered an absolute method?

    <p>It requires no correction factor. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of plate is typically used in the Wilhelmy Plate method?

    <p>Thin rectangular plate (glass or mica) (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When measuring surface tension, what can be inferred if the contact angle is θ = 90°?

    <p>The surface is in a state of partial wetting. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect does increasing the number of –CH2 groups have on the ratio of concentration at the surface layer to that in the bulk?

    <p>It increases the ratio by a factor of approximately 3. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of a du Nouy tensiometer?

    <p>To measure force to detach a platinum ring from a surface (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of colloidal system is an emulsion defined as?

    <p>A system comprised of two or more immiscible liquids. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do surfactants play in the formation of stable emulsions?

    <p>They reduce interfacial free energy. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following correctly describes surfactants?

    <p>Substances that are amphipathic with both water-loving and oil-loving parts (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does shaking affect the emulsion of oil and water?

    <p>It temporarily disperses oil droplets in water. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of increasing the carbon chain length in surfactants?

    <p>Increases the tendency to adsorb at surface/interface (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What mathematical relationship is given for calculating detachment force using a du Nouy tensiometer?

    <p>$F = 2π (R_1 + R_2) γ$ (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to the emulsion when shaking ceases?

    <p>It spontaneously reverts to give the lowest interfacial area. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which surfactant is considered water-soluble for use in making o/w emulsions?

    <p>Sodium dodecyl sulfate. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In regard to surfactant behavior, what is Traube’s rule relevant to?

    <p>The adsorption pattern of aliphatic alcohols in dilute solutions (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is required for accurate surface tension measurements using the du Nouy tensiometer?

    <p>A zero contact angle and proper cleaning techniques (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary characteristic of the complex stable film formed by surfactants?

    <p>It is charged negatively. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the hydrophobic group in surfactants?

    <p>Has no affinity for aqueous solvents (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Surface tension

    The force that holds the surface molecules of a liquid together, resulting in a tension-like effect.

    Surfactant

    A substance that lowers surface tension by reducing the cohesive forces between liquid molecules. They have both hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts.

    Surface tension of water

    Water molecules have strong cohesive forces due to hydrogen bonding, resulting in a high surface tension.

    Hydrophobic

    Substances that tend to repel water and have a low affinity for water.

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    Hydrophilic

    Substances that attract and readily mix with water.

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    Surface Free Energy

    The work needed to increase the surface area of a liquid by 1 square meter, measured in Joules per square meter (J/m²).

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    Surface Tension and Surface Free Energy Relationship

    Surface tension and surface free energy are numerically equivalent. They represent the same property, but described in different units.

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    Symbol for Surface Tension/Free Energy

    The symbol used for both surface tension and surface free energy, with the subscript referring to the system involved, e.g., γw/a for water/air interface.

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    Surface Tension and Temperature

    Surface tension increases with decreasing temperature. This means hot water has lower surface tension than cold water.

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    Inward Pull on Surface Molecules

    The tendency for liquid molecules on the surface to be pulled inwards due to stronger attractive forces between them compared to molecules in the bulk.

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    Interface

    The boundary region between two immiscible phases, like liquid and gas (surface tension) or liquid and liquid (interfacial tension).

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    Interfacial Tension

    The force that acts along the boundary between two immiscible liquids.

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    Minimizing Surface Area

    The tendency of systems to minimize their total free energy, leading to a decrease in surface area and achieving greater stability.

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    Increased Surface Area and Reactivity

    Increasing the surface area of a solid can make it more reactive, as there are more exposed molecules. This can be achieved by processes like milling.

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    Energy Required for Surface Area Increase

    Processes that require energy to increase the surface area of materials, like emulsion formation.

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    Adhesion

    The tendency of a material to adhere to another surface, resulting in a stable bond.

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    Du Nouy Tensiometer

    A device that measures surface tension by measuring the force required to detach a platinum ring from the surface of a liquid.

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    Du Nouy Tensiometer Equation

    The force required to detach a platinum ring from the surface of a liquid is directly proportional to the surface tension and the perimeter of the ring.

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    Amphipathic

    The property of a surfactant molecule having both a hydrophilic and hydrophobic region.

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    Hydrophobic Group

    The part of a surfactant molecule that is repelled by water.

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    Hydrophilic Group

    The part of a surfactant molecule that is attracted to water.

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    Surfactant Orientation

    Surfactants tend to orient themselves at the surface or interface between two phases, with the hydrophobic portion pointing away from the aqueous phase.

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    Surfactant Structure

    The structure of a surfactant molecule with a hydrophobic 'tail' and a hydrophilic 'head'.

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    Contact Angle

    The angle between the tangent to the liquid surface at the point of contact with a solid surface and the solid surface. It describes the wettability of a surface by a liquid.

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    Absolute Wetting

    Describes a liquid spreading completely on a solid surface. The contact angle is 0 degrees, meaning the liquid wets the surface completely.

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    No wetting

    Describes a liquid that does not spread on a solid surface. The contact angle is 180 degrees, meaning the liquid does not wet the surface at all.

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    Wilhelmy Plate Method

    A method used to measure surface tension by measuring the force required to detach a thin, rectangular plate from the surface of a liquid. The plate is completely wetted by the liquid, ensuring that the surface tension acts vertically

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    Force of Surface Tension

    The force acting around the perimeter of the Wilhelmy plate that is used to calculate the surface tension.

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    Complete Wetting Condition

    The principle behind the Wilhelmy Plate method, that the plate must be completely wetted by the liquid, i.e., the contact angle must be zero, to ensure that the surface tension acts vertically on the plate

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    Static Mode of Wilhelmy Plate Method

    The Wilhelmy Plate method can be used to measure changes in surface tension over time or with different variables.

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    Adsorption of Surfactants

    The tendency of a molecule to adsorb at an interface, increasing with the size of its hydrophobic portion. The increase in adsorption from one –CH2 group to the next is approximately threefold.

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    Lowering Surface Tension

    The reduction of surface tension by a surfactant, caused by the replacement of water molecules at the surface with surfactant molecules. This disruption of water-water bonding reduces the cohesive forces and thus surface tension.

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    Emulsion

    A mixture of two or more immiscible liquids, commonly water and oil, stabilized by a surfactant. The surfactant forms a layer at the interface preventing the liquids from separating.

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    Emulsifying Agent

    A substance like sodium dodecyl sulfate (water-soluble) or cetostearyl alcohol (oil-soluble) that interacts with both water and oil phases, promoting the formation of a stable emulsion.

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    Stable Emulsion Formation

    The formation of a stable emulsion with very small droplets, minimizing the interfacial area and reducing the tendency for the droplets to coalesce. This stability is enhanced by the formation of a charged film around the droplets.

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    Phase Separation

    The process of spontaneously separating a mixture into layers, driven by the reduction of interfacial free energy and the tendency to minimize the area of contact between the phases.

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    Interfacial Free Energy

    The reduction of the interfacial free energy between two phases, leading to a decrease in the surface tension and a tendency to minimize the interface area.

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    Dynamic Equilibrium in Emulsions

    The state of equilibrium in which the rate of droplet formation equals the rate of droplet coalescence, resulting in a stable emulsion.

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    Study Notes

    MPharm Programme: Surface Tension & Surfactants

    • This programme covers surfactants and their use in pharmaceutical preparations.
    • Surface tension is the force acting parallel to the surface and at right angles to a 1m line drawn anywhere in the surface.
    • Surface tension is measured in mN m⁻¹.
    • Water's surface tension is 72 mN m⁻¹ at 25°C and decreases with temperature.
    • Interfaces are the transition regions where two immiscible phases meet.
    • Examples of interfaces include: liquid-vapour, liquid-liquid, solid-liquid, solid-vapour, and solid-solid.
    • Surface tension is an inward force that causes the surface to contract.
    • Surface molecules have higher energy than bulk molecules due to the unequal attractive forces.
    • Reducing surface area minimizes surface free energy.
    • Water droplets are spherical due to the minimization of surface area.
    • Solids can't readily change shape when surface free energy is high.
    • Increasing surface area (e.g., milling solids) increases surface free energy.
    • To increase surface area, energy must be supplied (e.g., emulsion formation).
    • Wetting is the ability of a liquid to spread on a solid surface and is influenced by contact angle. A contact angle of 0° indicates complete wetting, while an angle of 180° indicates no wetting.
    • Surfactants are amphipathic molecules with both hydrophilic (water-loving) and hydrophobic (water-fearing) regions.
    • Surfactants have hydrophobic tails (like hydrocarbon chains) and hydrophilic heads which contain a charged functional group.
    • This dual nature allows surfactants to adsorb at liquid-liquid or liquid-solid interfaces.
    • Traube's rule states that for homologous alcohols, the ratio of surface concentration to bulk concentration increases approximately threefold for every additional -CH2 group in the chain length.
    • Surfactants lower surface tension, making them useful emulsifying agents, detergents, solubilizing agents, wetting agents, foaming agents, and antifoaming agents, and flocculating agents.
    • Emulsions are colloidal systems of two immiscible liquids, often water and oil.
    • These systems use emulsifiers (surfactants) to stabilize the emulsion.

    Measurement of Surface Tension

    • Methods include the Wilhelmy plate and du Nouy ring methods.
    • Wilhelmy plate: A thin plate dipped into the liquid, with force measured as it's pulled out. Surface tension is calculated with the force divided by the plate's perimeter.
    • du Nouy ring: Force to detach a platinum ring from the liquid is measured. Surface tension is calculated from the detachment force and ring perimeter.
    • Both require zero contact angles for accurate measurements.
    • Correction factors may be needed depending on the method and specific situation (e.g., for non-vertical force).

    Calculation Example

    • A calculation example using the Wilhelmy plate method shows how to find surface tension values from measured force and perimeter parameters. (e.g., for a given liquid and plate dimensions)

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    Description

    This quiz focuses on the concepts of surface tension and surfactants relevant to pharmaceutical preparations. It explores the physical properties of surface tension, its measurement, and the role of surfactants in reducing surface energy in various interfaces. Test your understanding of these essential topics in the MPharm programme.

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