Properties Of
Water
Adhesion and cohesion are two elements of water that make water so essential to life. Cohesion is the sticking of water molecules; waters attraction to other water molecules. Adhesion is the sticking of water molecules to other substances, such as a bead of water on a leaf. Using cohesion and adhesion, plants are able to create a “pull” on the water column and are therefore able to transport water from their roots up to their leaves. This is just one example of the many results of cohesion and adhesion of water molecules and their importance to life.
Adhesion Facts
Cohesion Facts
Adhesion is the attraction of water to other substances; the sticking of water molecules to plants, leaves, etc.
The strength of water's adhesive forces determine what shape water takes. For example, if the water's adhesive forces are strong, the water will tend to pull the droplet down, causing it to flatten on the surface. If water's cohesive forces are stronger, however, the water droplet will tend to bead on the surface.
Cohesive forces are the intramolecular forces between water molecules that hold the water molecules together and create the ability of water molecules to resist coming apart.
During the night, water is held inside of the stem thought the use of cohesion of water molecules to one other and the adhesion of water to the cell walls of the xylem. Using water's characteristics of adhesion and cohesion, water is able to travel up through the xylem and to the leaves.
For example, gravity causes the water droplets to slide down the leaves or the pine needles but adhesion between the molecules makes them stick to the pine needles.
Cohesion is what causes water to appear as a sphere or a drop.
Cohesion is the attraction of one water molecule to another; the attraction of water to water.
COHESION & ADHESION
Cohesion is what causes water droplets to appear as if they have a skin or coating around it.