is an effect within the surface layer of a liquid that causes the layer to behave as an elastic sheet. It is the effect that allows insects (such as the water strider) to walk on water, and causes capillary action, for example.
A water strider at rest on the surface of a creek. Note the distortion of light around its feet where the water surface has bent.
Water striders using water surface tension when matting.
Mating water striders on water surface.
Animation of water dripping from a faucet.
A daisy. The flower is under the water level, which has risen gently and smoothly. Hence surface tension prevents the water from submerging the flower.
A Hungarian coin floating on the water thus demonstrating its surface tension
A steel needle floating on water. Note the distortion of the reflected light around the needle where the water surface has bent.
Droplet with very little wetting
Because of surface tension a tea spoon is floating on a cup of tea (Earl Grey).
Drops beading on a surface.
Water beading on a surface.
Mercury forming puddles on a solid surface.
Photo of flowing water adhering to a hand. Surface tension creates the sheet of water between the flow and the hand.
Photo showing breakup of water sheet due to surface tension.
Photo showing the "tears of wine" phenomenon, which is induced by a combination of surface tension modification of water by ethanol together with ethanol evaporating faster than water.
A metal paper clip floats on water.