Sharpen Your Mind: Surface Tension

Posted by Jerry Lopper Feb 8, 2007

Water has unusual physical characteristics. In solid form, ice, it is less dense than it's liquid form, which is why ice floats. It's ability to absorb and retain large amounts of heat explain why coastal towns experience moderate weather.

Water's surface tension is the result of a thin layer or skin of molecules on the surface that adhere strongly to each other. This characteristic is the result of water's physical arrangement of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.

Water-striders, small insects with relatively pad-like feet take advantage of water's surface tension to walk on water. Detergents work by lowering surface tension, enabling water to loosen dirt and grease.

Source: The Intellectual Devotional, David S.Kidder & Noah D. Oppenheim