Re: Can you give examples of dyne?

I am not sure I can give you an easy answer, Sam.  A dyne is a unit to 
measure FORCE, where 1 dyne = 1 x 10^-5 Newtons or kg*m/s^2.  The value 
you were given for surface tension should be in units of Newtons per meter 
or maybe dyne per foot... hard to say?  In any case, surface tension is 
representative of the force required to break through the surface of a 
liquid (note: this relationship changes with temperature).

To find an everyday example for comparison... pushing rocks is not a 
very "clean" example, because the type of surface will affect the amount 
of force required.  For example, pushing a rock in mud is much more 
difficult than pushing a rock across ice because of the friction/ 
resistance involved.  So, let's think instead about lifting a rock 
instead.  The equation would be: 

Force = mass * acceleration

In this case, you would be working against gravity to lift the rock, so 
anything greater than 9.8 m per sec^2 for gravity will get the rock off 
the ground.  And the mass of the rock should be in kg.  Then you can 
convert to dynes...

I will leave the rest of the calculations up to you since I am not sure 
what units of surface tension you were given.  Good luck with your 
calculations!

Kieran