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)

Question

Responses

The molecule is made of only three atoms.

The molecule has sides that have slight electrical charges.

The molecule easily breaks apart into individual atoms.

The molecule is significantly larger than most molecules.

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 polarity allows water molecules to form hydrogen bonds with each other (cohesion) and with other substances (adhesion), which are key to its surface tension.