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Surface tension is a property of liquids where the surface behaves like an elastic sheet. It is this effect which causes capillary action, causing the liquid to be 'pulled' up a capillary tube. It also allows small objects such as needles to float on the surface of liquids which would not normally float through buoyancy.

The table below shows the surface tension of various liquids in N/m (Newtons per metre).

Liquid	Temperature °C	Surface tension, N/m
Acetic acid	20	0.0276
Propanone	20	0.0237
Ethanol	20	0.02227
Glycerol	20	0.063
Hydrochloric acid (17.7M)	20	0.063
Isopropanol	20	0.0217
Mercury	15	0.487
Methanol	20	0.0226
Sodium chloride 6.0M aqueous solution	20	0.08255
Sucrose (55%) + water	20	0.07645
Water	0	0.07564
Water	25	0.07197
Water	50	0.06791
Water	100	0.05885