Question

A sample of water is mixed with a surfactant. What will most likely happen to the viscosity of the water? Explain your answer.

Answer 1

The viscosity of the water will decrease.

Surfactants disrupt intermolecular forces within a liquid.

Viscosity is directly related to intermolecular forces.

If intermolecular forces are decreased, viscosity should also decrease.

Answer 2

Surfactants disrupt intermolecular forces inside liquids and viscosity is directly related to intermolecular forces so, if intermolecular forces are decreased, viscosity should decrease as well.