Some insects can walk on water. This is possible because of which of the following?

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Question restatement: Some insects can walk on water. This is possible because of which of the following?

Option 1: Kinetic energy. This would imply that the insect uses motion energy to stay above the water surface, which is not the mechanism that prevents sinking. Walking on water relies on resisting surface deformation, not on converting kinetic energy into buoyancy.

Option 2: Capillarity. Capillary action involves liquid rising or moving within narrow spaces due to cohesive and adhesive forces. While related to surface phenomena, capillarity does not explain how an insect distributes its weight on the water surface to avoid breaking through, so this option is not the correct mechanism in this context.

Option 3: Surface tension. Surface tension arises from cohesive forces at the liquid surface, creating a thin 'skin' that can support light objects and small animals if the weight and contact area are appropriate. Insects exploit this surface film to distribute their weight and walk on water, which directly accounts for the observed ability.

Option 4: Latent energy. Latent energy pertains to energy absorbed or released during phase changes (like melting or boiling). It does not describe the static support mechanism that allows walking on a liquid surface, making this option inaccurate for the given scenario.

Summary: Among the presented choices, the third option correctly identifies surface tension as the key phenomenon enabling some insects to walk on water, because the cohesive forces at the water surface create a temporary 'skin' that can bear their weight when distributed across their legs. The other options involve different concepts (kinetic energy, capillarity, latent energy) that do not explain the observed behavior.

Some insects can walk on water. This is possible because of which of the following?

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