Surface tension is a property of liquids that makes their surface behave like a stretched elastic membrane. This occurs because molecules at the surface of a liquid, like water, are attracted more strongly to each other than to the air above. This attraction creates a "skin" on the surface, allowing small objects, like a water strider insect, to float without sinking. This phenomenon is also why droplets of water form into spherical shapes. The molecules pull together, minimizing the surface area. Surface tension plays a crucial role in various natural processes, such as how raindrops fall and how soap bubbles form.