SSC
CHEMISTRY
|
Question
[CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
|
|
|
The insects are light enough so they do not break the hydrogen bonds holding the water molecules together
|
|
|
The insects actually use their wings to hover slightly above the water’s surface and they only skim it with their feet.
|
|
|
The insect’s feet are non-polar, so they are repelled by the polar water molecules and are pushed away from the water’s surface.
|
|
|
The insects are small enough to see the individual water molecules, so they are able to step carefully from one molecule to the next
|
Detailed explanation-1: -Water striders use the high surface tension of water and long, hydrophobic legs to help them stay above water.
Detailed explanation-2: -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-3: -While there is no net charge to a water molecule, the polarity of water creates a slightly positive charge on hydrogen and a slightly negative charge on oxygen, contributing to water’s properties of attraction. Water’s charges are generated because oxygen is more electronegative, or electron loving, than hydrogen.