Surface Energy Definition and Classifications

Surface energy quantifies the disruption of intermolecular bonds that occurs when a surface is created. In the physics of solids, surfaces must be intrinsically less energetically favourable than the bulk of a material; otherwise there would be a driving force for surfaces to be created, and surface is all there would be (see sublimation (physics)). The surface energy may therefore be defined as the excess energy at the surface of a material compared to the bulk.