Question
Water forms beads on many surfaces, such as the waxy coating of a leaf. What best explains the ability of water to form beads?
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The ability of water to form beads on surfaces, such as the waxy coating of a leaf, is best explained by the concept of surface tension. Surface tension arises due to the cohesive forces between water molecules, which are primarily caused by hydrogen bonding.
In water, each molecule is attracted to neighboring molecules, creating a pull that minimizes the surface area. When water is placed on a surface that is hydrophobic (water-repellent), such as wax, the adhesive forces between water molecules themselves (cohesion) are stronger than the adhesive forces between the water molecules and the surface (adhesion). As a result, the water stays together and forms a bead rather than spreading out.
In summary, the surface tension of water, driven by cohesive forces between water molecules, is what allows it to form beads on various surfaces.
In water, each molecule is attracted to neighboring molecules, creating a pull that minimizes the surface area. When water is placed on a surface that is hydrophobic (water-repellent), such as wax, the adhesive forces between water molecules themselves (cohesion) are stronger than the adhesive forces between the water molecules and the surface (adhesion). As a result, the water stays together and forms a bead rather than spreading out.
In summary, the surface tension of water, driven by cohesive forces between water molecules, is what allows it to form beads on various surfaces.