Question

Which of the following best describes what causes water molecules to exhibit properties such as cohesive and adhesive behavior?

Answer 1

Explanation:

Since, a water molecule contains two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. As difference in the electronegativities of both these atoms leads to the formation of a partial positive charge on hydrogen atom and a partial negative charge on the oxygen atom.

As cohesion is a property of molecules of water or a substance to stick together with each other.

Whereas adhesion is a property of molecules of a substance to stick with molecules of another substance.

Since, water molecules are able to form intermolecular hydrogen bonds. Hence, they have strong cohesive forces.

And, as water molecules are able to stick to the walls of a container. Therefore, they also tend to show a property of adhesion.

Thus, we can conclude that water molecules are polar, having partially polar and partially negative ends est describes that water molecules exhibit properties such as cohesive and adhesive behavior.

Answer 2

It is due to the fact that water is a polar molecule. The hydrogens in one molecule of water will attract to the oxygens of another water molecule.