Question

question 8 (02.01r mc) (multiple choice worth 4 points) one of waters unique properties is that it has strong surface tension. what do you predict would happen if water had weak surface tension? insects would not be able to land on or walk on water. plants would be able to draw water from the roots up to their leaves. water molecules would attract each other. water would only be able to dissolve nonpolar substances.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Option 1: Insects walk on water due to surface tension. Weak surface tension would mean the water surface can't support them, so this is correct.
• Option 2: Water molecules attracting each other is cohesion, related to surface tension but the statement is about what happens if surface tension is weak. This option describes a property of water (cohesion) not the consequence of weak surface tension, so incorrect.
• Option 3: Plants draw water via capillary action (related to cohesion and adhesion), not directly surface tension's weakness. So incorrect.
• Option 4: Water dissolving nonpolar substances is incorrect as water is polar and dissolves polar/ionic substances. Also, not related to surface tension.

Answer:

A. Insects would not be able to land on or walk on water.