Final answer:
The property of water that helps increase the size of the lungs in muscular inhalation and contributes to passive exhalation is the elastic recoil of the lung tissue, along with the presence of pulmonary surfactant.
Step-by-step explanation:
The property of water that contributes to passive exhalation and helps increase the size of the lungs in muscular inhalation is the elastic recoil of the lung tissue.
During inhalation, the diaphragm contracts and the intercostal muscles expand the chest wall, causing the lungs to expand. When exhaling, the diaphragm and intercostal muscles relax, allowing the lungs to recoil and decrease in volume. This recoil creates a pressure gradient that causes air to leave the lungs passively.
The presence of pulmonary surfactant also helps to reduce surface tension within the alveoli and prevents them from collapsing during expiration.