Question:

Contact angle measurements are often performed on smooth surfaces to gain information about the wettability of a surface. The interfacial tensions between solid-liquid, liquid-air, and air-solid are $\gamma_{SL}$, $\gamma_{LA}$, and $\gamma_{AS}$, respectively. Which of the following expressions describes the contact angle, $\Theta$? 

Show Hint

Young’s equation is the key for contact angle problems: $\gamma_{AS}=\gamma_{SL}+\gamma_{LA}\cos\Theta$. Just rearrange to get $\cos\Theta$.
Updated On: Aug 30, 2025
  • $\cos \Theta = \dfrac{\gamma_{AS}-\gamma_{SL}}{\gamma_{LA}}$
  • $\cos \Theta = \dfrac{\gamma_{SL}-\gamma_{AS}}{\gamma_{LA}}$
  • $\cos \Theta = \dfrac{\gamma_{LA}-\gamma_{AS}}{\gamma_{SL}}$
  • $\cos \Theta = \dfrac{\gamma_{LA}-\gamma_{SL}}{\gamma_{AS}}$
Hide Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Apply Young’s equation.
The equilibrium of interfacial tensions at the contact line is: \[ \gamma_{AS} = \gamma_{SL} + \gamma_{LA}\cos \Theta \] Step 2: Rearrange.
\[ \cos \Theta = \frac{\gamma_{AS}-\gamma_{SL}}{\gamma_{LA}} \] Step 3: Match with options.
This exactly corresponds to option (A).
Was this answer helpful?
0
0

Top Questions on Petroleum Exploration and Drilling Engineering

View More Questions

Questions Asked in GATE PE exam

View More Questions