Surface Tension of Dew
Megan Day
Artwork for ‘Tension‘ (Issue 23)
The Science
This photograph is inspired by the physics of surface tension in water. Dew drops form when cohesion between water molecules allows them to cling to a leaf despite the constant pull of gravity. At the same time, adhesion anchors them to the leaf surface, creating a delicate balance between opposing forces. Light refracts through each droplet, whilst surface tension at the edges gives each drop its distinct spherical form. The photograph shows tension and the delicate equilibrium of forces needed to create dew drops.
https://www.biolinscientific.com/blog/surface-tension-of-water-why-is-it-so-high
The Medium
This artwork is a photograph that captures a close-up of dew drops on an iris leaf, exploring the physics of surface tension in water. Taken outdoors in natural light on an overcast day, the image highlights how droplets cling and refract along the leaf’s surface. While grounded in observation, the artist drew on imagination to shape the composition. The original photograph was created with a Canon EOS 60D.
The Artist
Megan Day is a technology/public health professional, writer, and commercial artist located in the Washington, DC area. Her creative practice explores the intersections between natural phenomena and human perception. Her poetry and art frequently draw inspiration from physics, biology, and the environment. In addition to writing, she creates visual works in mixed media, including watercolour, collage, and texturized acrylic.
Copyright statement. This work is published under the CC BY-NC-SA license