The Determination of Surface Tension by Standing Waves

The velocity with which a wave travels over the surface of a liquid depends upon the surface tension of the liquid as well as on a gravity force due to the displacement of the liquid from its undisturbed position. For waves of large wavelength the effect of surface tension on the velocity of the wave is small; however for small wavelengths the gravity force is very small and the velocity of the wave is determined almost entirely by the surface tension. We shall therefore consider waves of very small wavelength