Electrostatic Fields: Their Effect on the Surface Tension of Aqueous Salt Solutions.

Electrostatic fields of up to 7000 volt/cm have been applied across air/solution interfaces by means of parallel-plate electrodes, and the resulting surface tension changes were obtained by measuring, through a balance linkage, the deflection of mica plates floating on the surface. Surface tension changes (always negative) of up to 0.5 dyne/cm have been observed in both distilled water and dilute sodium chloride solutions.