Question

Question

Special properties of water include its cohesion, adhesion, and surface tension. Which characteristic of the water molecule is most useful for explaining all three of these special properties? (1 point)
Responses

The molecule is significantly larger than most molecules.
The molecule is significantly larger than most molecules.

The molecule is made of only three atoms.
The molecule is made of only three atoms.

The molecule easily breaks apart into individual atoms.
The molecule easily breaks apart into individual atoms.

The molecule has sides that have slight electrical charges.

Answer 1

The characteristic of the water molecule that is most useful for explaining its cohesion, adhesion, and surface tension is:

The molecule has sides that have slight electrical charges.

This property is due to the polar nature of water molecules, which leads to hydrogen bonding. Cohesion refers to the attraction between water molecules, adhesion refers to the attraction between water molecules and other substances, and surface tension is a result of cohesive forces between water molecules at the surface.