Interaction of Water Surface Tension and Detergent Viscosity. Viscous yet dense laundry detergent sits on the top of water due to surface tension. However, the higher density leads to the falling and “fingering” of the detergent droplet, which is extended into long strands, likely because of the high viscosity and water surface tension.
Filmed and created by Emma Wilder
Song: Every Blade of Grass
Artist: Axletree
Song License: CC BY
Source: Free Music Archive
Thumbnail of original video show below:


4 Comments. Leave new
Hi Emma, I’m a big fan of the way the detergent reflects on the surface of the water, I think this adds a lot of artistic effect to the visualization.
I wonder why the drops tend to change direction after falling for a little bit of time. Do you think that the turning happens at a specific velocity? I also appreciated your camera angle – the reflections off the surface of the water created a nice mirror effect.
I really like the contrast between the dark blue detergent and the white background. It makes the droplets stand out.
The brightness that you added to the video (as compared to the original thumbnail image) really increases the excitement that is brought out in your image. I love how pleasing the stark difference is between the flat white and bright blue colors!