Higher IM forces = ________ Surface Tension.

Higher IM forces = ________ Surface Tension.

• A. Lower
• B. No change
• C. Higher
• D. Variable

Answer: (C)

Surface tension is the cohesive force at a liquid’s surface that resists increasing surface area. When intermolecular forces are stronger, surface molecules feel a stronger pull from their neighbors, so the surface behaves like a tighter skin and more energy is required to create new surface area. That direct link means higher intermolecular forces yield higher surface tension. For example, water has a relatively high surface tension because of strong hydrogen bonding between molecules, compared with many organic liquids that have weaker intermolecular attractions. So the result is higher surface tension.

Surface tension is the cohesive force at a liquid’s surface that resists increasing surface area. When intermolecular forces are stronger, surface molecules feel a stronger pull from their neighbors, so the surface behaves like a tighter skin and more energy is required to create new surface area. That direct link means higher intermolecular forces yield higher surface tension. For example, water has a relatively high surface tension because of strong hydrogen bonding between molecules, compared with many organic liquids that have weaker intermolecular attractions. So the result is higher surface tension.