Surface tension is the force that makes liquids act like they have a thin, elastic skin.
Imagine a water droplet. It holds its round shape because of surface tension. The water molecules on the surface are more tightly packed than those inside the droplet. This tight packing creates a force that pulls the surface inward, like a stretched rubber band.
This force is what allows insects to walk on water, and it's also why soap bubbles can form.
Here are some real-world examples:
- Water droplets on a leaf: Surface tension makes them round.
- Soap bubbles: Surface tension creates the thin, elastic film.
- Insects walking on water: Surface tension allows them to distribute their weight.