Chemistry / Unit 8 Chem 1396 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Surface Tension
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The idea
Surface tension is the energy needed to increase a liquid's surface area, from the unbalanced inward pull on surface molecules.
In practice
A water strider's weight rests on water's surface unbroken, supported by hydrogen-bonded water's relatively high surface tension.
Where people slip
Surface tension tracks intermolecular force strength directly — weaker cohesive forces mean a weaker "skin," not a thicker one.
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