Which of the following liquid substances would you expect to have the lowest surface tension? And why? what intermolecular forces present in each?

a. Pb

b. CH3OCH3

c. HOCH2CH2OH

d. H2O

e. CH3CH2OH

CH3OCH3

Explanation:

Surface tension is directly proportional to the strength of the inter molecular bonds. So the one with the weakest intermolecular forces will have the lowest surface tension. Lead has the highest intermolecular forces (metallic bonds), water and alcohol have hydrogen bonding which are the second strongest bonds here. CH3OCH3 and HOCH2CH2OH both have London dispersion forces but CH3OCH3 has weaker ones of the two because it is smaller and therefore has the lowest surface tension