Question

why are cohesion & adhesion essential for life on earth?
a) they help regulate the earth’s temperature and counteract global warming.
b) they make water wet.
c) they allow capillary action to happen, which is an important function for plant life. capillary action is when water climbs up the inside of small tubes
d) they make ice float.
water quiz

Explanation:

Cohesion (water molecules sticking to each other) and adhesion (water sticking to other surfaces) enable capillary action. Capillary action is vital for plants as it helps water move up from roots to leaves. Option A: Regulating Earth’s temperature relates to water’s high specific heat, not cohesion/adhesion. Option B: “Making water wet” is not a scientific reason. Option D: Ice floating is due to water’s density change when freezing, not cohesion/adhesion. So C is correct.

Answer:

C) They allow capillary action to happen, which is an important function for plant life. Capillary action is when water climbs up the inside of small tubes.