Physics Department M.S. Thesis Defense, "Temperature Dependence of the Contact Angle of Water on Graphite, Silicon and Gold," by Kenneth Osborne, Physics Department Graduate Student

Science / Technology - Colloquium

Friday, April 24, 2009
4:00 PM-5:00 AM

The temperature dependence of the contact angle of water on graphite, silicon and gold was investigated under various conditions to test the Sharp-Kink Approximation. Despite correctly predicting the contact angle at room temperature, the ideal Sharp-Kink Approximation was not found to accurately describe the contact angle's temperature dependence. The discrepancies from the predicted contact angle were characterized in terms of a correction H(T) to the liquid-solid surface tension. H(T) was found to be linear in temperature and decreasing, and is consistent with electrostatic charge effects.

Cost: FREE

Suggested Audiences: Adult

E-mail: garcia@wpi.edu
Phone: 508-831-5342

Last Modified: April 21, 2009 at 2:54 PM