Anomalous temperature dependence of surface tension and capillary waves at liquid gallium

Abstract

The temperature dependence of surface tension γ(T) at liquid gallium is studied theoretically and experimentally using light scattering from capillary waves. The theoretical model based on the Gibbs thermodynamics relates the temperature derivative of γto the surface excess entropy -ΔS. Although capillary waves contribute to the surface entropy with a positive sign the effect of dipole layer on ΔS is negative. Experimental data collected at a free Ga surface in the temperature range from 30 to 160 C show that the temperature derivative of the tension changes sign near 100 C.