A force resulting from inter-molecular forces that is responsible for
bubbles forming (as a consequence of being energetically favorable),
water drops hanging from faucets and a meniscus forming when a column of water
rises in glass tubes. It causes a reduction in the ratio of surface area to
volume of a geometrical object - to a minimum in the absence of other competing
effects.
surfactant
The term surfactant comes from shortening the phrase `surface active
agent'. Amphiphilic molecules that have the
unique property of getting absorbed at various interfaces and changing the
properties of the interface are called surfactants. Surfactants are crucial
for the properties of soaps and other detergents and have wide ranging
applications from oil recovery to efficient delivery of drugs at a desired
site in the body.