Question

a) How can the surface tension of water be broken? Float something on the surface of water. How can you break the surface tension without touching the surface with your finger?

b) Heat and cool a sample of honey. Compare the viscosities of each. Find another liquid to experiment with. Report your results below and explain your observations in terms of intermolecular forces.

Answer 1

a)

in general

the surface tension of water is broken by adding detergents and soaps

we know that

the surface tension of water decreased with increasing temperature

So

heating the water will break the surface tension

and it will be difficult for the object to float

b)

when honey is heated

the heating will give energy to the atoms

this energy is enough to overcome the intemolecular forces that binds the atoms together

so

the atoms in the honey can flow easily

as a result

the viscosity will decrease upon heating

conversely

the viscosity will increase upon cooling

this experiment can also be done using a sugar syrup