Influence of an Adsorbed (Inner) Layer on the Cohesion of a Solid

Abstract

IN a previous communication1 attention was directed to the influence of adsorption in causing the phenomenon of floating drops. In other words, an adsorbed layer (in particular of gases), when enclosed within a liquid, may lessen its cohesion so that no coalescence takes place, the adsorbed layer acting as a barrier. Thus a drop of molten paraffin—where adsorption may be expected—persists for a relatively long time, say, 1 min., on a paraffin surface.