Structure of Water and Hydrogen Bonding

AP Biology· difficulty 2/5

A small insect can walk on water because

  • A

    Water acts as a non-polar solvent at its surface

  • B

    Cohesion between water molecules is unusually weak

  • C

    Buoyant force alone supports the insect's weight

  • D

    Hydrogen bonds at the water surface create high surface tension

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Explanation

Surface molecules have unbalanced H-bond pulls inward, creating a "skin" tough enough to support light loads.

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