When a thin glass tube is put into water, the water rises 1.4 cm. When the same tube is put into hexane, the hexane rises only 0.4 cm. Explain.

Video transcript

Hey everyone, we're asked to identify which statement describes why liquid hydrogen fluoride rises higher in a tube compared to benzene. Now, let's think about this for a second. So if our liquid hydrogen fluoride rises higher, then this must mean it has a higher surface tension. And if this has a higher surface tension, then this must also mean we have stronger inter molecular forces. So looking at our answer choices, it looks like answer choice. C is going to be our answer, since hydrogen fluoride does in fact have stronger inter molecular forces than benzene. And we know this to be true, since hydrogen fluoride is able to hydrogen bond, and we know that hydrogen bonding is our second strongest inter molecular force and benzene is unable to hydrogen bond. So I hope that made sense. And let us know if you have any questions.