What happens to the surface tension of water when a surfactant is added?
Correct Answer: Surface tension decreases.
- Step 1: Understand what surface tension is. Surface tension is the force that makes the surface of water behave like a stretched elastic sheet.
- Step 2: Know that water molecules are attracted to each other. This attraction creates strong cohesive forces at the surface.
- Step 3: Learn what a surfactant is. A surfactant is a substance that reduces the surface tension of a liquid.
- Step 4: When a surfactant is added to water, it mixes with the water and spreads out on the surface.
- Step 5: The surfactant molecules disrupt the cohesive forces between the water molecules.
- Step 6: As a result, the surface tension of the water decreases, making it easier for things to float or spread on the surface.
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