Question

Which is the definition of adhesion?

A.
The property in which water molecules stick to one another tightly.
B.
The property in which water molecules easily evaporate into a gas.
C.
The property in which water molecules are attracted to other polar substances.

Answer 1

A is incorrect. This sticking together of like substances is called cohesion. Depending on how attracted molecules of the same substance are to one another, the substance will be more or less cohesive. Hydrogen bonds cause water to be exceptionally attracted to each other. Therefore, water is very cohesive.

B is correct. The property in which water molecules stick to one another tightly. The property in which water molecules easily evaporate into a gas.

C is incorrect. In cohesion, water molecules are attracted to each other (because of hydrogen bonding), keeping the molecules together at the liquid-air (gas) interface, although there is no more room in the glass.