Chemistry / Unit 8 Chem 1393 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Cohesive vs. Adhesive Forces
Captions available
The idea
Cohesive forces are attractions between like molecules of one liquid; adhesive forces are attractions between a liquid and a different surface.
In practice
Water beads on a waxed car hood because its cohesive forces exceed its adhesive forces toward the wax.
Where people slip
Whether a liquid spreads or beads depends on which force wins, not on the liquid's identity alone.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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