Final answer:
Using the capillary action phenomenon and the given experimental formula, the surface tension of a liquid can be calculated based on the height the liquid rises in a capillary tube, the density of the liquid, and the diameter of the tube when the contact angle is zero.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding the Capillary Action and Surface Tension
The experiment described pertains to the capillary action observed when a capillary tube is dipped into a liquid, such as water. Capillary action occurs due to the balance between cohesive forces (between liquid molecules) and adhesive forces (between liquid molecules and the material of the tube). To determine the surface tension of the liquid, you can use a known relationship that links the height to which the liquid rises in the tube (h), the density of the liquid (p), the acceleration due to gravity (g, which is 9.8 m/s²), and the radius of the tube (r). The formula for the calculation of surface tension (σ) when the contact angle is zero (which means the liquid wets the tube completely) is:
σ = (2Tcosθh) / (rpg)
However, the given formula has been simplified to σ = (pghD) / 4, where D is the diameter of the capillary tube. In practical applications, this formula allows us to calculate the surface tension of liquids like water and observe how it changes with different concentrations of impurities.