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Chapter 2: Problem 7

What property of water is responsible for the creation of surface tension?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The property of water responsible for the creation of surface tension is hydrogen bonding.

Step by step solution

01

- Understanding Surface Tension

Surface tension is the phenomenon where the surface of a liquid is stretched and behaves like a stretched elastic membrane. It occurs because of the cohesive forces between similar molecules in the liquid.
02

- Examine Cohesive Forces

Cohesive forces are the intermolecular forces that hold similar molecules together. In water, these forces are particularly strong due to hydrogen bonding, where hydrogen atoms in one molecule are attracted to oxygen atoms in another water molecule.
03

- Identifying the Role of Hydrogen Bonding

Hydrogen bonding creates a 鈥榥et鈥� of molecules holding together tightly at the surface. This tight network of interactions at the surface is responsible for surface tension.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

cohesive forces
Cohesive forces are very important in understanding why water behaves the way it does. These are the forces that hold similar molecules together. In the case of water, cohesive forces are quite strong due to a special type of attraction known as hydrogen bonding.

Cohesive forces result in interesting properties. One of these properties is surface tension, which makes the surface of water act like a stretched elastic membrane.

In other liquids, cohesive forces might be weaker, leading to less pronounced surface tension. Cohesive forces are essential for the liquid structure and behavior as they determine how molecules stick together.
hydrogen bonding
Hydrogen bonding is a key player in the unique properties of water. This type of bonding is a strong attraction between molecules. Specifically, hydrogen bonds form between a hydrogen atom in one water molecule and an oxygen atom in another.

Hydrogen bonds are responsible for many intriguing phenomena, including surface tension. At the water surface, these bonds create a tight network, which makes the surface more resistant to external force.

Without hydrogen bonds, water would not have the high surface tension that it does. This bonding also explains why water has a high boiling point compared to similar sized molecules.
properties of water
Water has several fascinating properties due to the cohesive forces and hydrogen bonding among its molecules.

One well-known property is surface tension, which arises from these hydrogen bonds. Water鈥檚 surface acts like a stretched elastic sheet, making it possible for small insects to walk on it.

Other properties of water include its high specific heat capacity, meaning it can absorb a lot of heat before it gets hot. This is crucial for regulating climate and weather patterns.

Additionally, water is an excellent solvent. It's often called the 'universal solvent' because it dissolves more substances than any other liquid, which is vital for processes in nature and industry.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

What happens to water's density when it freezes?

How does the polarity of a water molecule play a role in its ability to form hydrogen bonds?
See all solutions

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