Meniscus
What is Meniscus?
The meniscus is the curved surface of a liquid in a container caused by surface tension and the intermolecular forces between the liquid and the container walls. A concave meniscus (curving upward at the edges) is formed when the liquid-wall adhesive forces are stronger than the liquid-liquid cohesive forces, as with water in glass. A convex meniscus forms when cohesive forces dominate, as with mercury in glass; volume measurements are read from the bottom of a concave meniscus.
Key Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
The meniscus is the curved surface of a liquid in a container caused by surface tension and the intermolecular forces between the liquid and the container walls. A concave meniscus (curving upward at the edges) is formed when the liquid-wall adhesive forces are stronger than the liquid-liquid cohesive forces, as with water in glass. A convex meniscus forms when cohesive forces dominate, as with mercury in glass; volume measurements are read from the bottom of a concave meniscus.