How small insects such as the pond skater can walk on water?

Answer 1

The cohesive forces between liquid molecules are responsible for the phenomenon known as surface tension. The molecules at the surface of a glass of water do not have other water molecules on all sides of them and consequently they cohere more strongly to those directly associated with them (in this case, next to and below them, but not above). It is not really true that a "skin" forms on the water surface; the stronger cohesion between the water molecules as opposed to the attraction of the water molecules to the air makes it more difficult to move an object through the surface than to move it when it is completely submersed.

Pond skating insects reveal water-walking secrets as they effortlessly skip across the surface leaving nothing but a tiny ripple in their wake, according to a new study.

The insects use the middle of their three pairs of legs to row across the water, creating vortices with the tiny hairs that cover their legs, similar to the swirling vortices created just beneath the surface by am oar when it slices the water that twist away and propel the boat forward.

The hairs, the only part of the insect’s body that penetrates the water, are covered in a waxy substance that keeps water out by allowing bubbles to attach to them which have drawn the attention of materials scientists looking for a permanent waterproofing material that doesn’t wash off.

With these two combined, this is how the insect can walk on water

Answer 2

The attractive force that binds the water (3 atom) molecules together, called cohesion, is greater than the downward force exerted by the weight of the insect, divided by the surface area that the small insect's feet present to the water surface; this leads to the observed 'walking upon water without getting your feet wet'.

additional If you are VERY careful, you should be able to float a small needle or pin on the water surface in a glass

Answer 3

as they have water ssurface tension !!