Question

Why does acetone evaporate faster than ethanol yet still has a higher surface tension?

Answer 1

Acetone evaporate faster than ethanol because of Hydrogen Bond concept.

Explanation:

Acetone being a ketone has no direct `O-H` bonds, hence lacks hydrogen bondigs. While ethanol being an alcohol does have a direct `O-H` connection. Hence, ethanol has intermolecular hydrogen bonds.
Therefore, more stroger physical bonds have to be destroyed in ethanol, than in acetone. Hence, acetone evaporates faster than ethanol inspite of having higher surface tension.

Ethanol

NOTE : To know more, please check into :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_bond.