Surface Tension of Strong Electrolytes

Abstract

Jones and Ray¹ have recently found that on adding a salt to water the surface tension at first decreases, then passes through a minimum and finally at concentrations above about 0.001N increases with increase of concentration. The interionic attraction theory of surface tension developed by Wagner² and Onsager³ on the basis of the Debye solution theory and the principles of electrostatics requires, however, the slope of the surface tension - concentration curve always to be positive and greater at the lower concentrations. The accurate results of Jones and Ray are thus seen to be in complete disagreement with theory.