Drops On A Penny Lab
Cohesion
Water molecules are attracted to other water molecules. The oxygen end of water has a negative charge and the hydrogen end has a positive charge. The hydrogen of one water molecule are attracted to the oxygen from other water molecules. This attractive force is what gives water its cohesive properties.
Surface Tension
Surface tension is the name we give to the cohesion of water molecules at the surface of a body of water. The cohesion of water molecules forms a surface "film" or “skin.” Some substances may reduce the cohesive force of water, which will reduce the strength of the surface “skin” of the water.