Understanding Surface Tension

What is the definition of surface tension?

• Surface tension is the force that pulls liquid molecules apart.

• Surface tension is the pressure exerted by a gas on a liquid surface.

• Surface tension is the cohesive force at the surface of a liquid that causes it to behave like a stretched elastic membrane.

• Surface tension is the temperature at which a liquid boils.

How does temperature affect surface tension in liquids?

• Temperature has no effect on surface tension.

• Higher temperatures increase surface tension.

• Surface tension is constant regardless of temperature.

• Temperature inversely affects surface tension; as temperature increases, surface tension decreases.

What role does molecular cohesion play in surface tension?

• Molecular cohesion creates surface tension by pulling surface molecules inward, resisting external forces.

• Molecular cohesion decreases surface tension by pushing surface molecules outward.

• Surface tension is solely caused by temperature variations in the liquid.

• Molecular cohesion has no effect on the behavior of surface molecules.

Name one application of surface tension in everyday life.

• Water striders walking on water

• Oil spreading on water

• Soap bubbles floating in the air

• Water droplets forming on a leaf

How does surface tension affect the shape of liquid droplets?

• Surface tension makes droplets flat and wide.

• Surface tension has no effect on droplet shape.

• Surface tension causes droplets to form irregular shapes.

• Surface tension causes liquid droplets to form a spherical shape.

What is the relationship between surface tension and intermolecular forces?

• Surface tension is directly related to intermolecular forces; stronger intermolecular forces result in higher surface tension.

• Surface tension is unrelated to intermolecular forces.

• Surface tension decreases with stronger intermolecular forces.

• Higher surface tension leads to weaker intermolecular forces.

How does the presence of surfactants influence surface tension?

• Surfactants lower surface tension by disrupting cohesive forces between liquid molecules.

• Surfactants have no effect on surface tension and do not interact with liquid molecules.

• Surfactants increase surface tension by enhancing cohesive forces between liquid molecules.

• Surfactants only affect the viscosity of liquids, not the surface tension.

Explain how surface tension contributes to the phenomenon of capillary action.

• Surface tension prevents liquids from rising in narrow spaces.

• Capillary action occurs only in wide tubes due to gravity.

• Surface tension has no effect on the movement of liquids in plants.

• Surface tension allows liquid to rise in narrow spaces due to cohesive and adhesive forces.

What is the effect of impurities on the surface tension of a liquid?

• Impurities have no effect on the surface tension of a liquid.

• Impurities generally decrease the surface tension of a liquid.

• Impurities increase the surface tension of a liquid.

• Impurities only affect the viscosity, not the surface tension.

Describe how surface tension allows some insects to walk on water.

• Surface tension allows insects to swim under the water's surface.

• Surface tension prevents insects from walking on water by creating a barrier.

• Surface tension allows some insects to walk on water by creating a 'skin' on the water's surface that supports their weight.

• Insects walk on water due to their lightweight bodies and large feet.