What is the term used to describe the elastic tendency of liquids that allows them to acquire the least surface area possible?

The term used to describe the elastic tendency of liquids, which allows them to acquire the least surface area possible, is indeed surface tension. Surface tension occurs due to the cohesive forces between liquid molecules, which create a "skin" on the surface of the liquid. This phenomenon is driven by the molecules at the surface experiencing different intermolecular forces compared to those in the bulk of the liquid. Consequently, surface tension causes liquids to minimize their surface area, taking on shapes like spheres, which have the smallest surface area for a given volume.

Other terms, such as degree of saturation, pertain to soil or material saturation in geotechnical contexts and do not relate to the elastic properties of liquids. Porosity refers to the amount of void space in a material and is not associated with liquid behaviors. Cohesion is a broader concept describing the attractive forces between molecules, which plays a role in surface tension but does not specifically address the tendency of liquids to minimize surface area. Understanding surface tension is crucial in various fields, including hydraulics and pneumatics, where the behavior of liquids in system design and functionality is essential.