Cohesion and adhesion of water

Theory pages

According to the cohesion-tension theory, the main force that drives water up a plant is transpiration and cohesion and adhesion of water in the xylem.

Capillary action happens because the adhesion force is more stronger then the cohesion force. Capillary action is an effect caused by the interactions of a liquid [e.g. water] with the walls of a tube, eg glass tube. Water climbs up, aginst gravity, in a glass tube because of the strong hydrogen-bonding interactions between H_2O, id est the hydrogen atom and the surface of the glass (glass contains SiO_2; oxygen from SiO_2 is typically bonded to hydrogen from water). On the video below is…

Cohesion Adhesion

Have you ever wondered how a mosquito skates on the surface of water? Or how water beads down the surface of glass such as a window or windshield? The nature of water molecules causes it to be attr…

Learn all about the makeup and properties of water molecules! Defines polarity and shows atomic structure. Learn about cohesion and adhesion!

Engage and hook your students with these properties of water activities for studying adhesion, cohesion, surface tension, and specific heat.

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With two simple yet fun experiments, this worksheet covers the interesting topic of cohesion and adhesion of water.