Understanding Surface Tension

Surface tension is a property of liquids caused by the cohesive forces between liquid molecules. Stronger intermolecular forces lead to higher surface tension.

Analyzing the Substances

* CH4 (Methane): Methane is a nonpolar molecule with only weak London dispersion forces.

* H2O (Water): Water is a highly polar molecule with strong hydrogen bonding.

* H2S (Hydrogen Sulfide): Hydrogen sulfide is polar but has weaker hydrogen bonding than water.

* Hg (Mercury): Mercury is a metal with strong metallic bonds.

Ranking Surface Tension

Based on the strength of intermolecular forces, the ranking of surface tension from highest to lowest would be:

1. Hg (Mercury): Metallic bonds are extremely strong, giving mercury a very high surface tension.

2. H2O (Water): Hydrogen bonding is a strong force, leading to a high surface tension.

3. H2S (Hydrogen Sulfide): While polar, hydrogen bonding is weaker in H2S than in water.

4. CH4 (Methane): Weak London dispersion forces result in the lowest surface tension.

Therefore, Mercury (Hg) has the greatest surface tension out of the given substances.