Final answer:
The false statement is that surface tension acts to increase the size of the alveoli within the lungs. In fact, surface tension decreases the size of alveoli, and a substance known as surfactant is needed to lower surface tension and maintain proper alveolar function.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks which statement about surface tension is false. The false statement among the options provided is: Surface tension acts to increase the size of the alveoli within the lungs. In reality, surface tension tends to decrease the size of the alveoli due to the inward force it exerts, and this is why our lungs have a substance called surfactant that reduces surface tension and prevents the alveoli from collapsing.
Surface tension is a result of cohesive forces between molecules on the surface of a liquid, which make the liquid assume the smallest possible surface area. This is due to the imbalance of forces on the molecules at the surface, as they experience a net attraction towards the molecules inside the liquid. Therefore, statements saying that surface tension occurs at any gas-liquid boundary, and that it resists forces that increase the surface area, are true.