Question

How do insects such as pond skaters stay afloat on water?

• A. The high surface tension of water.
• B. They can swim.
• C. Water is denser than the pond skater.
• D. They are denser than water.

Answer 1

The correct option is A

The high surface tension of water.

The reason why pond skaters can stay afloat is that the surface tension of water acts like a skin. Water molecules have cohesive forces between them, and the pond skater’s weight is too small to overcome those forces. Hence, pond skaters stay afloat on water.