Question

How do intermolecular forces affect surface tension and viscosity?

Answer 1

Hint: Intermolecular forces are the interactions formed between the atoms in a molecule. When any liquids flow faster or slower, it is due to the viscosity of that liquid. When any substance floats on the liquid, it can be explained by the surface tension. Both surface tension and viscosity depend on the intermolecular forces.

Complete answer:
Intermolecular forces are the interactions formed between the atoms in a molecule. When many molecules or compounds combine to form a solid or liquid, it is due to the intermolecular forces that we get stable solid and liquid forms.
We see that some liquids flow very easily and some flow very slowly, this is due to the property of viscosity of the liquids, hence we can say that the ability to flow is viscosity. This property of the liquid can be explained on the basis of intermolecular forces, if the intermolecular forces will be strong, then the mobility of the molecules will become less, and flow property will also decrease, so we say the viscosity of the liquid is high.
When we place something into the liquid, some of the things start to float on the surface of the water, this is due to the surface tension of the liquid. When the molecules of the liquid shrink into the minimum surface, then this tendency is known as surface tension. As the intermolecular forces increase, the area of space becomes less, and the surface tension increases.
So, as the intermolecular forces increase both the viscosity and surface tension also increases.

Note:
Some intermolecular forces between the molecules are hydrogen bonding, van der Waals forces, etc in which hydrogen bonding is a strong bonding while the van der Waals forces are weaker forces.