Abstract:
The spectrum of light scattered by thermally excited surface waves on water has been investigated
and the value of the surface tension and, after careful analysis of instrumental broadening, the value
of the viscosity determined. The results are in good agreement with those obtained by more con
ventional techniques. In contrast to a recent report by McQueen and Lundstrom (ref. (1)) who also
performed a light scattering experiment, an anomalously high viscosity was not found. These authors
invoked the concept of a highly structured surface region, in order to interpret their data. This
region probably does not exist.
