Final answer:
Water striders are able to walk on water due to surface tension, a property caused by the cohesive force between water molecules. The high surface tension of water allows the water strider to distribute its weight over a larger area.
Step-by-step explanation:
Water striders are able to 'walk' on the surface of water due to a property called surface tension. Surface tension is the cohesive force between water molecules that causes them to stick together and form a kind of 'skin' on the surface of the water.
This property is due to hydrogen bonding between water molecules. Hydrogen bonds are formed when the partially positive hydrogen atom of one water molecule is attracted to the partially negative oxygen atom of another water molecule. These hydrogen bonds create a strong network that gives water its cohesive and adhesive properties.
When a water strider walks on the surface of water, its legs create small dents in the water's surface. However, the surface tension of the water quickly fills in these dents, allowing the water strider to stay afloat. The high surface tension of water enables the water strider to distribute its weight over a larger area, preventing it from breaking the water's surface.