Due to which property of water do small insects like water striders float on its surface?

The property of water that allows small insects like water striders to float on its surface is known as surface tension.

Here are the steps explaining this:

1. Surface tension is a property of liquid that allows it to resist an external force. It is the result of cohesion, which is the attraction between molecules of the same substance. In water, each molecule is pulled inwards by other molecules, which creates a "film" on the surface.

2. This "film" or high surface tension is strong enough to support small insects like water striders, allowing them to "walk on water".

3. The legs of water striders are covered with tiny hairs that repel water and capture air. By spreading their weight over a large area, these insects can stand on and move across water without breaking the surface tension.

4. So, due to the high surface tension of water and the water-repelling properties of the insect's legs, water striders can float on the surface of water.