Final answer:
Certain insects, such as water striders, can stand on water because they take advantage of surface tension, which allows them to walk on water without penetrating the surface. Their weight is supported by the cohesive forces among water molecules, similar to how a stretched elastic sheet would support a light weight.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ability of certain insects to stand on water without sinking is an example of the physical property known as surface tension. Insects like water striders utilize surface tension, which is the tendency for the surface molecules of a liquid to stick together, forming a 'skin' on the surface.
As a result, these insects can walk on water as if they were on a trampoline, with their weight supported by the forces in the stretched surface.
This phenomenon occurs because the downward force exerted by the insect is less than the cohesive forces between the water molecules. These surface molecules adhere to one another strongly enough to bear the weight of light objects, including water striders.
Another example of surface tension can be observed when a needle is carefully placed on the surface of water, and it 'floats' despite being denser than water because the surface tension supports its weight.
Surface tension is also an essential factor in various natural processes, such as the formation of ice on lakes and the behavior of water in different weather conditions. For instance, during winter, ice floats on liquid water, allowing ecosystems to survive beneath the surface as the ice insulates the lake from colder temperatures.
The complete question is: Does the plane float on the surface after landing in the lake? is: