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BIO NMDCAT Biological Importance of Water
nmdcat.online June 27, 2026

The reason that a small amount of water placed on a waxed surface forms discrete beads rather than spreading out is that

A. Cohesive forces between water molecules are stronger than the adhesive forces between water and wax
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B. Adhesive forces between water and wax are stronger than water's cohesive forces
C. The wax catalyzes the polymerization of water molecules at the surface
D. The high specific heat of water prevents it from spreading

📝 Explanation

Wax is a non-polar, hydrophobic surface. The polar water molecules are more strongly attracted to each other via hydrogen bonding (cohesion) than they are to the wax surface (adhesion). This causes the water to minimize its contact with the wax and form spherical beads.

📖 Additional Information

  • Cohesive forces between water molecules are stronger than the adhesive forces between water and wax
  • Adhesive forces between water and wax are stronger than water's cohesive forces
  • The wax catalyzes the polymerization of water molecules at the surface
  • The high specific heat of water prevents it from spreading

Wax is a non-polar, hydrophobic surface. The polar water molecules are more strongly attracted to each other via hydrogen bonding (cohesion) than they are to the wax surface (adhesion). This causes the water to minimize its contact with the wax and form spherical beads.

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