Which intermolecular force is primarily responsible for water's high surface tension?

• A. Ionic bonding
• B. London dispersion forces
• C. Dipole-dipole interactions
• D. Hydrogen bonding

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the types of intermolecular forces present in water. Water molecules exhibit London dispersion forces, dipole-dipole interactions, and hydrogen bonding due to their molecular structure.
2. Recall that ionic bonding occurs between ions and is not an intermolecular force; it is not relevant for molecular water.
3. Understand that London dispersion forces are weak forces present in all molecules but are not strong enough to account for water's high surface tension.
4. Recognize that dipole-dipole interactions occur between polar molecules, and water is polar, but these interactions alone do not fully explain the high surface tension.
5. Focus on hydrogen bonding, which is a special, strong type of dipole-dipole interaction occurring when hydrogen is bonded to highly electronegative atoms like oxygen. This force is primarily responsible for water's high surface tension.