What property of water allows it to support small objects on its surface?

The property of water that enables it to support small objects on its surface is surface tension. Surface tension arises from the cohesive forces between water molecules at the surface of the liquid. Water molecules are polar, meaning they have a slight positive charge on one side and a slight negative charge on the other. This polarity causes water molecules to be attracted to each other, resulting in a stronger bond at the surface compared to the molecules below.

When a small object, such as a needle or a leaf, is placed on the surface of water, the molecules at the surface create a sort of "skin" that resists external force due to this surface tension. This phenomenon allows these objects to remain afloat, despite the pull of gravity.

Cohesion, while related, refers to the attraction between similar molecules, contributing to surface tension but not specifically addressing the floating capability. Capillary action involves the movement of water within narrow spaces and is not directly related to supporting objects. Solvent action pertains to the ability of water to dissolve substances, which is unrelated to the ability to support objects on its surface.