The magnitude of surface tension of liquid depend upon the attractive force between the molecules.Arrange the following in increasing order of surface tension.Water,alcohol (C2H5OH) and hexane (CH3(CH2)4CH3)
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Solution
Since the magnitude of surface tension depends on intermolecular attraction, the high will be the attraction higher will be the surface tension. Among the given molecules the intermolecular force of attraction is highest in case of H2O because of hydrogen bonding. The hydrogen bonding also exist in alcohol (ethanol) but the extent of hydrogen bonding decreases with increase of carbon chain. In hexane there is very weak intermolecular attraction.Therefore order of surface tension in given liquids will be as follows: hexane < alcohol < water