Question
ix. A needle may float on a clean water but sinks when some detergent is added to water because the detergent
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The behavior of the needle in water relates to the concepts of surface tension and the properties of detergents. A needle can float on clean water because the surface tension of the water is strong enough to support the weight of the needle.
When detergent is added to the water, it reduces the surface tension of the liquid. This happens because detergents are amphiphilic molecules, meaning they have both hydrophobic (water-repelling) and hydrophilic (water-attracting) parts. When the detergent molecules spread out on the surface of the water, they disrupt the cohesive forces between the water molecules, leading to a decrease in surface tension.
As the surface tension decreases, it can no longer support the weight of the needle, causing it to sink. Thus, we can conclude that the detergent reduces the surface tension of the water, which is why the needle sinks when added.
When detergent is added to the water, it reduces the surface tension of the liquid. This happens because detergents are amphiphilic molecules, meaning they have both hydrophobic (water-repelling) and hydrophilic (water-attracting) parts. When the detergent molecules spread out on the surface of the water, they disrupt the cohesive forces between the water molecules, leading to a decrease in surface tension.
As the surface tension decreases, it can no longer support the weight of the needle, causing it to sink. Thus, we can conclude that the detergent reduces the surface tension of the water, which is why the needle sinks when added.