Oscillation of evaporating liquids and ispalator paradoxes

Surface activity of the vapor of volatile, inert fluorocarbon substances such as C6F14, C8F18, and C10F18 has been discovered. In a newly observed phenomenon of capillary instability, permanent oscillatory and rotary movements occur in many liquids, due to a 10-30% reduction in the surface tension of a liquid when in contact with fluorocarbon vapors at room temperature. The features and possible uses of the effect and prospects for finding new types of volatile surfactants are discussed.