Adhesion vs. Cohesion: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Adhesion is the force of attraction between different substances, while cohesion is the force holding particles of the same substance together.
Key Differences
Adhesion refers to the tendency of different materials or surfaces to cling to one another. It is the force that causes attraction between unlike substances, such as water droplets on a leaf. Cohesion, in contrast, is the force that holds together particles within the same material or substance. It's what keeps water droplets intact and enables them to form a spherical shape.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
In the context of liquids, adhesion is observed when the liquid interacts with the surface of a solid, like rainwater adhering to a windowpane. This interaction is crucial in phenomena like capillary action, where water climbs up a narrow tube against gravity. Cohesion, meanwhile, is seen within the liquid itself, as the water molecules attract each other, creating a consistent liquid mass.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Adhesion is fundamental in various applications such as paint adhering to a wall or a bandage sticking to skin. This property is pivotal in manufacturing, where different materials are bonded. Conversely, cohesion is observed in phenomena such as surface tension, where the cohesive forces at the surface of a liquid are in play, allowing insects like water striders to walk on water surfaces.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
In biological systems, adhesion plays a vital role in cell interactions and the binding of different biological components. For instance, adhesion is crucial for wound healing, as cells must adhere to repair tissue. Cohesion is significant in maintaining the structural integrity of cellular and biomolecular formations, like the cohesive nature of cellular membranes.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Adhesion can be influenced by factors like the surface roughness and the nature of the materials involved. Chemical adhesives, for example, are designed to maximize adhesion between surfaces. Cohesion, however, is more dependent on the molecular structure and intermolecular forces within a substance, such as hydrogen bonds in water.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Type of Interaction
Attraction between different substances
Attraction within the same substance
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Examples
Water on glass, sticker on a wall
Water droplets, mercury in a thermometer
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Role in Nature
Essential for processes like capillary action
Creates surface tension in liquids
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Applications
Used in adhesives, paints, and coatings
Important in liquid flow, droplet formation
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Influencing Factors
Surface properties, material compatibility
Molecular structure, intermolecular forces
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Adhesion and Cohesion Definitions
Adhesion
The action or process of adhering to a surface or object.
The adhesion of a bandage to skin is crucial for protecting a wound.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 08, 2023
Cohesion
The phenomenon of substances holding together through internal forces.
The cohesion in a jelly substance prevents it from easily breaking apart.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 08, 2023
Adhesion
The property of sticking together (as of glue and wood) or the joining of surfaces of different composition.
The adhesion between a label and a bottle is essential for product identification.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 08, 2023
Cohesion
The force that holds together molecules or parts in a solid or liquid.
The cohesion in a water stream allows it to flow smoothly.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 08, 2023
Adhesion
The process or condition of sticking or staying attached
The adhesion of the glue to wood.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 08, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Cohesion
The action or property of like molecules sticking together.
The cohesion among water molecules forms droplets.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 08, 2023
Adhesion
(Physics) The physical attraction or joining of two substances, especially the macroscopically observable attraction of dissimilar substances.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 08, 2023
Cohesion
The intrinsic strength of a substance caused by the attraction of particles within the substance.
The cohesion of a piece of steel is what makes it strong and durable.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 08, 2023
Adhesion
A condition in which bodily tissues that are normally separate grow together.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 08, 2023
Cohesion
The act, process, or condition of cohering
Exhibited strong cohesion in the family unit.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 08, 2023
Adhesion
A fibrous band of scar tissue that binds together normally separate anatomical structures.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 08, 2023
Cohesion
(Physics) The intermolecular attraction by which the elements of a body are held together.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 08, 2023
Cohesion
(Botany) The congenital union of parts of the same kind, such as a calyx of five united sepals.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 08, 2023
Cohesion
State of cohering, or of working together.
Unit cohesion is important in the military.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 08, 2023
Cohesion
Various intermolecular forces that hold solids and liquids together.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 08, 2023
Adhesion
(medicine) An abnormal union of surface by the formation of new tissue resulting from an inflammatory process.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 08, 2023
Cohesion
(software engineering) Degree to which functionally related elements in a system belong together.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 08, 2023
Cohesion
(linguistics) Grammatical or lexical relationship between different parts of the same text.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 08, 2023
Adhesion
The action of sticking; the state of being attached; intimate union; as, the adhesion of glue, or of parts united by growth, cement, or the like.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 08, 2023
Cohesion
That from of attraction by which the particles of a body are united throughout the mass, whether like or unlike; - distinguished from adhesion, which unites bodies by their adjacent surfaces.
Solids and fluids differ in the degree of cohesion, which, being increased, turns a fluid into a solid.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 08, 2023
Adhesion
Adherence; steady or firm attachment; fidelity; as, adhesion to error, to a policy.
His adhesion to the Tories was bounded by his approbation of their foreign policy.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 08, 2023
Adhesion
Agreement to adhere; concurrence; assent.
To that treaty Spain and England gave in their adhesion.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 08, 2023
Adhesion
The molecular attraction exerted between bodies in contact. See Cohesion.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 08, 2023
Cohesion
(botany) the process in some plants of parts growing together that are usually separate (such as petals)
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 08, 2023
Adhesion
Union of surface, normally separate, by the formation of new tissue resulting from an inflammatory process.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 08, 2023
Cohesion
(physics) the intermolecular force that holds together the molecules in a solid or liquid
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 08, 2023
Adhesion
The union of parts which are separate in other plants, or in younger states of the same plant.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 08, 2023
Cohesion
A tendency to unite or stick together in a mass.
The cohesion of soil particles is vital for plant growth.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 08, 2023
Adhesion
A fibrous band of scar tissue that binds together normally separate anatomical structures
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 08, 2023
Adhesion
The property of sticking together (as of glue and wood) or the joining of surfaces of different composition
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 08, 2023
Adhesion
The tendency of dissimilar particles or surfaces to cling to one another.
The adhesion of paint to a wall ensures a smooth finish.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 08, 2023
Adhesion
The molecular attraction exerted between the surfaces of bodies in contact.
The adhesion between a tire and a wet road reduces the risk of skidding.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 08, 2023
Adhesion
The force that holds molecules of different substances together.
The adhesion of water to plant leaves helps in the distribution of nutrients.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 08, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is adhesion?
Adhesion is the force that causes different materials or surfaces to stick together.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
What is an example of adhesion?
An example of adhesion is a sticker adhering to a smooth surface.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
How does adhesion affect everyday life?
Adhesion is crucial in many everyday applications like painting, gluing, and taping.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Can adhesion be increased or decreased?
Yes, adhesion can be modified using various surface treatments and adhesives.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
What factors influence adhesion?
Surface roughness, material compatibility, and environmental conditions influence adhesion.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
What factors affect cohesion?
Molecular structure and intermolecular forces like hydrogen bonding affect cohesion.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
What is cohesion?
Cohesion is the force that holds together molecules or parts within the same substance.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
What is an example of cohesion?
Water droplets maintaining their shape is a classic example of cohesion.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Are adhesion and cohesion dependent on each other?
While related, adhesion and cohesion can occur independently in different contexts.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
How are adhesion and cohesion different?
Adhesion is about different substances sticking together, while cohesion is about the same substances sticking together.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
How does cohesion play a role in nature?
Cohesion is important for processes like water transport in plants and surface tension in ponds.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Can adhesion be a problem in certain applications?
Yes, unwanted adhesion, like dirt sticking to surfaces, can be problematic in some contexts.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Is cohesion always desirable?
Not always. Excessive cohesion in materials like powders can lead to clumping.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Do adhesion and cohesion play a role in technology?
Yes, they are crucial in fields like material science, engineering, and biotechnology.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
What is the significance of cohesion in liquids?
Cohesion in liquids is significant for properties like viscosity and capillary action.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
How do adhesives work in terms of adhesion?
Adhesives work by forming bonds at the interface between different materials, maximizing adhesion.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Can cohesion be altered?
Cohesion can be altered by changing temperature or adding substances that disrupt molecular forces.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
What role does cohesion play in structural integrity?
Cohesion is crucial for the structural integrity of materials, holding them together under stress.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Can environmental conditions affect adhesion and cohesion?
Yes, factors like humidity, temperature, and pressure can significantly impact both adhesion and cohesion.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
How is adhesion tested in industries?
Adhesion is tested using methods like peel tests, shear tests, and tensile tests.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Share this page
Link for your blog / website
HTML
Link to share via messenger
About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
Shumaila Saeed
Hifza Nasir
