Abstract
A METHOD I have devised for the determination of the approximate surface areas of particles involves the determination of the relationship between moisture content (ν) and suction pressure (h). Graphical integration of this function gives the work done during withdrawal of water, and, provided the process is carried out isothermally, this work is equal to the increase in the surface free-energy of the water. Hence the increase in surface area of the water is given by: 
where γ is the surface tension of water. Provided that the contact angle between water and the solid is zero, and that a sufficiently large suction can be applied, this area approximates very closely to that of the solid.
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References
Harkins, W. D., and Jura, G., J. Chem. Phys., 11, 430 (1943); J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 66, 1362 (1944).
Haines, W. B., J. Agric. Sci., 20, 97 (1930).
Richards, L. A., Soil Sci., 68, 95 (1949).
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PAYNE, D. A Method for the Determination of the Approximate Surface Areas of Particulate Solids. Nature 172, 261 (1953). https://doi.org/10.1038/172261a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/172261a0
