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Question
which best explains the surface tension of water?
capillary action
cohesion
adhesion
sublimation
Surface tension is the tendency of liquid surfaces to shrink into the minimum surface area possible. This occurs because water molecules are attracted to one another (cohesion); molecules at the surface are pulled inward by cohesive forces from surrounding molecules, creating a "skin-like" tension. Capillary action is a result of both cohesion and adhesion, adhesion is attraction between different substances, and sublimation is a phase change from solid to gas, none of which directly explain surface tension.
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cohesion