In physics, the Young–Laplace equation (/ləˈplɑːs/) is an algebraic equation that describes the capillary pressure difference sustained across the interface between two static fluids, such as water and air, due to the phenomenon of surface tension or wall tension, although use of the latter is only applicable if assuming that the wall is very thin. The Young–Laplace equation relates the pressure difference to the shape of the surface or wall and it is fundamentally important in the study of static capillary surfaces. It's a statement of normal stress balance for static fluids meeting at an interface, where the interface is treated as a surface (zero thickness):