Answer to Question #302112 in General Chemistry for Hutchii

Question

Enumerate at least three applications of surface tension and viscosity in real life.

Answer 1

a) Small insects such as the water strider can walk on the surface of the water because their weight is very less so they can’t penetrate the water.

b) Disinfectants are mainly the solution of low surface tension so that when we use them in the field they can float on the water and spread out on the cells to destroy them.

c) Soaps and detergents also work on the basis of surface tension. They lower the surface tension of the water so that the soaps and detergents easily soak into the pores and holes.

d) The water bubbles are round because the surface tension of water provides the tension to form the bubble with the water and the surface tension minimizes the bubble into spherical shapes.

e) A small needle can be floated on the surface of the water.