Question

One of water’s unique properties is that it has strong surface tension. What do you predict would happen if water had weak surface tension?

Insects would not be able to land on or walk on water.

Plants would not be able to draw water from the ground through their roots.

Water molecules would attract each other.

Water would only be able to dissolve nonpolar substances.

Answer 1

Insects would not be able to land on or walk on water.

Step-by-step explanation:

Surface tension is a physical property that causes the surface of a liquid to behave like an elastic membrane. In water, surface tension is the result of hydrogen bonds, which are intermolecular forces caused by hydrogen molecules in water.

However, these forces occur differently on the water surface and below the surface.

When below the surface, water molecules are attracted to other water molecules in all directions, while on the surface, as they have no molecules above them, hydrogen bonds occur only sideways and downwards.

This inequality of surface attractions creates a force, resulting in the contraction of the liquid, causing surface tension, which acts as a thin membrane on the surface of the water.

This explains various phenomena such as some insects and microorganisms being able to move on the water surface, and small objects such as paper clips or some leaves do not sink when placed horizontally on the water.

Answer 2

The best answer among the choices listed above is the first option. One of water’s unique properties is that it has strong surface tension. If water had weak surface tension, then certain insects would not be able to land on or walk on water.