Which of the following liquids has the highest surface tension?
Practice Questions
Q1
Which of the following liquids has the highest surface tension?
Water
Ethanol
Benzene
Mercury
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
Which of the following liquids has the highest surface tension?
Correct Answer: Mercury
Step 1: Understand what surface tension is. Surface tension is the property of a liquid that makes its surface behave like a stretched elastic membrane.
Step 2: Know that surface tension is caused by cohesive forces between molecules in a liquid. The stronger the cohesive forces, the higher the surface tension.
Step 3: Compare different liquids. Common liquids include water, alcohol, and mercury.
Step 4: Recognize that mercury has very strong cohesive forces because its molecules are tightly packed together.
Step 5: Conclude that because of these strong cohesive forces, mercury has the highest surface tension among the liquids compared.