Can water be adhesive and cohesive?

Yes, water can exhibit both adhesive and cohesive properties. Adhesion refers to the ability of water molecules to adhere or stick to other substances, while cohesion refers to the ability of water molecules to stick to each other.

Water molecules are polar, meaning they have a slight positive charge on one end (hydrogen) and a slight negative charge on the other end (oxygen). This polarity allows water molecules to form hydrogen bonds with other polar molecules or surfaces, leading to adhesion. For example, water can adhere to the surfaces of glass, plastic, or plant tissues.

Cohesion in water is a result of hydrogen bonding between water molecules. The positive end of one water molecule is attracted to the negative end of another water molecule, creating a cohesive force. This cohesion is responsible for the surface tension of water, allowing insects to walk on water or water droplets to form beads.

Both adhesive and cohesive properties of water play important roles in various biological processes, such as capillary action in plants, transportation of water in trees, and the ability of water to wet surfaces.