Question

CHEM HELP PLSSSSS, I SUCK AT CHEM

Octane, which is the primary component of gasoline, has the chemical formula C8H18, and is a liquid at room temperature. A water bug can easily “skate” across the surface of a pond, but that same water bug would sink like a stone if it tried to walk across gasoline. Explain why.

Answer 1

The answer to your question is because of surface tension

Step-by-step explanation:

Surface tension is defined as the property of the surface of a liquid that allows it to resists an external force.

From the definition, we conclude that the molecules at the surface of water are extremely close and do not allow certain bugs to penetrate it so they can walk through it.

While the molecules at the surface of octane are not as close as those molecules in water so a bug sinks on it.

In conclusion, the surface tension of water is higher than the surface tension in octane.