A simple experiment for measuring the surface tension of soap solutions

Roman-FL; Faro-J; Velasco-S

AMERICAN-JOURNAL-OF-PHYSICS. AUG 2001; 69 (8) : 920-921

A simple experimental method for measuring the surface tension of a soap solution is proposed. In the experiment, a soap solution bubble is inflated by a syringe that is also connected to a precision manometer. By measuring the pressure change inside the bubble the surface tension can be calculated using the Young-Laplace equation. Experimental results for both toilet and dishwasher soap solutions are obtained.