Which of the following best explains the high surface tension of water?

• A. Capillary action
• B. Cohesion
• C. Sublimation
• D. Adhesion

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that surface tension is a property of liquids that results from the cohesive forces between molecules at the surface.
2. Recall that cohesion refers to the attraction between like molecules, in this case, water molecules attracting each other through hydrogen bonding.
3. Recognize that adhesion is the attraction between different substances, which affects phenomena like capillary action but is not the primary cause of surface tension.
4. Note that capillary action is a result of both cohesion and adhesion working together, but it is not the explanation for surface tension itself.
5. Understand that sublimation is a phase change from solid to gas and is unrelated to surface tension.