You can fill a glass of water to just slightly above the rim without the water spilling over the glass. What property of water best explains this phenomenon?

• A. Adhesion
• B. Its polarity
• C. None of the listed responses is correct.
• D. Surface tension

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that the problem is asking about a property of water that allows it to be filled slightly above the rim of a glass without spilling.
2. Recognize that this phenomenon is related to the cohesive forces between water molecules.
3. Recall that surface tension is a property of liquids that results from the cohesive forces between molecules at the surface.
4. Surface tension allows the surface of the water to behave like a stretched elastic membrane, which can hold the water slightly above the rim.
5. Conclude that the property of water that best explains this phenomenon is surface tension, as it is responsible for the water's ability to maintain a dome-like shape above the rim without spilling.