Question

Why can some insects walk on water?

Short answer

The use of thesurface tension of the water helps some insects like water strider to walk on the surface of the water.

Step-by-step solution

Introduction

Cohesion refers to the property in which the molecules of water are fascinated towards each other due to hydrogen bonding. This helps in keeping the molecules intact at the liquid-gas interface. The property of cohesion permits for surface tension, that is, the tendency of a substance towithstand rupturing when placed under stress or tension.

Explanation

Thesurface tension and cohesion makes the hydrogen bonds within the molecules of water to stay intact and support the floating of the item at the water surface. By using the surface tension property of water, some of the insects like water strider stay afloat on the surface of the water. The water strider even uses the surface tension towalk on the water surface and mate there.