2006-12-26 13:49:30 · 3 answers · asked by Misty 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
I agree with the other posters that the answer is surface tension, but what is surface tension? Surface tension is a force that acts in a liquid (water in this case if I remember the demo correctly) in a way that the liquid molecules have more attraction for each other than for the air above the liquid. Thus the pepper particles float on a "skin" like the skin of a balloon. When the soap is added, it gives the liquid (water) something else to associate with other than itself and the liquid acts like a balloon with dots (pepper) on it when it is punctured with a pin. Volla, the spots spread.
2006-12-26 17:56:06 · answer #1 · answered by kentucky 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Soap is a surfactant, which is a chemical that reduces surface tension.
2006-12-26 21:55:39 · answer #2 · answered by forgiveomatic 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Surface tension.
2006-12-26 21:51:36 · answer #3 · answered by KM 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋