On the surface-tension of liquids investigated by the method of jet vibration
1. According to Lord Rayleigh’s theory of jet-vibrations, measurement of the length of the standing waves and the velocity and cross-section of a jet, together with the density of the liquid, affords the necessary constants for the calculation of the surface-tension. Notwithstanding the great fundamental advantages of this method, it has only been used in very few cases, and only for relative measurements of the surface-tension. The explanation hereof is to be found in the great difficulties connected with the adequate exact determination of the wave-length, and cross-section or velocity of the jet. As none of the methods in use for the measurement of these quantities could be taken as satisfactory, the main object of this investigation has been to work out really good methods for them.