AP BIOLOGY

BIOCHEMISTRY

PROPERTIES OF WATER

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
How can a water strider walk on water?
A
It doesn’t
B
It is heavy enough to bend the water
C
It uses adhesion to its advantage
D
The property of cohesion
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -Water striders are able to walk on top of water due to a combination of several factors. Water striders use the high surface tension of water and long, hydrophobic legs to help them stay above water. Water striders use this surface tension to their advantage through their highly adapted legs and distributed weight.

Detailed explanation-2: -Where the water molecules meet the air, their cohesion creates surface tension. This surface tension creates a thin skin on the water. This skin on the water is strong enough to support lightweight objects. Animals that walk on water spread their weight over a large area so they won’t break through the water’s skin.

Detailed explanation-3: -Because of hydrogen bonding, water can actually support objects that are more dense than it is. Water molecules stick to one another on the surface, which prevents the objects resting on the surface from sinking. This is why water striders and other insects can “walk” on water!

Detailed explanation-4: -Frequently Asked Questions on Insects Walk on Water Insects can walk on water because of a phenomenon called surface tension. This is essentially a property of water (or any liquid) which allows it to resist an external force.

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