Which of the following liquids would have the lowest surface tension?

Which of the following liquids would have the lowest surface tension?

Step 1: Understand what surface tension is. Surface tension is a property of liquids that makes their surface behave like a stretched elastic sheet.
Step 2: Know that different liquids have different surface tensions based on their molecular structure.
Step 3: Compare the liquids given in the question. Common examples are water, ethanol, and mercury.
Step 4: Remember that water has a higher surface tension because of strong hydrogen bonds between its molecules.
Step 5: Recognize that mercury has an even higher surface tension due to its metallic bonds.
Step 6: Identify that ethanol has weaker intermolecular forces compared to water and mercury, leading to lower surface tension.
Step 7: Conclude that among the liquids compared, ethanol has the lowest surface tension.

No concepts available.