<P> At liquid -- air interfaces , surface tension results from the greater attraction of liquid molecules to each other ( due to cohesion ) than to the molecules in the air ( due to adhesion ) . The net effect is an inward force at its surface that causes the liquid to behave as if its surface were covered with a stretched elastic membrane . Thus , the surface becomes under tension from the imbalanced forces , which is probably where the term `` surface tension '' came from . Because of the relatively high attraction of water molecules for each other through a web of hydrogen bonds , water has a higher surface tension ( 72.8 millinewtons per meter at 20 ° C ) compared to that of most other liquids . Surface tension is an important factor in the phenomenon of capillarity . </P>
<P> At liquid -- air interfaces , surface tension results from the greater attraction of liquid molecules to each other ( due to cohesion ) than to the molecules in the air ( due to adhesion ) . The net effect is an inward force at its surface that causes the liquid to behave as if its surface were covered with a stretched elastic membrane . Thus , the surface becomes under tension from the imbalanced forces , which is probably where the term `` surface tension '' came from . Because of the relatively high attraction of water molecules for each other through a web of hydrogen bonds , water has a higher surface tension ( 72.8 millinewtons per meter at 20 ° C ) compared to that of most other liquids . Surface tension is an important factor in the phenomenon of capillarity . </P>
what is the high surface tension of water due to
what is the high surface tension of water due to
the greater attraction of liquid molecules to each other ( due to cohesion ) than to the molecules in the air ( due to adhesion )
the greater attraction of liquid molecules to each other ( due to cohesion ) than to the molecules in the air ( due to adhesion )