Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Contact Angle01:13

Contact Angle

18.8K
When a solid is dipped inside a liquid, the liquid surface becomes curved near the contact. For some solid–liquid interfaces, the liquid is pulled up along the solid, while for others, the liquid surface is convex or depressed near the solid surface. This phenomenon can be explained using the concept of cohesive and adhesive forces.
The adhesive force is the molecular force between molecules of different materials, that is, between the molecules of the solid and the liquid. The cohesive...
18.8K
Molecular Comparison of Gases, Liquids, and Solids02:26

Molecular Comparison of Gases, Liquids, and Solids

54.6K
Particles in a solid are tightly packed together (fixed shape) and often arranged in a regular pattern; in a liquid, they are close together with no regular arrangement (no fixed shape); in a gas, they are far apart with no regular arrangement (no fixed shape). Particles in a solid vibrate about fixed positions (cannot flow) and do not generally move in relation to one another; in a liquid, they move past each other (can flow) but remain in essentially constant contact; in a gas, they move...
54.6K
Speed of Sound in Solids and Liquids00:51

Speed of Sound in Solids and Liquids

3.9K
Most solids and liquids are incompressible—their densities remain constant throughout. In the presence of an external force, the molecules tend to restore to their original positions, which is only possible because the constituents interact. The interactions help the constituents pass on information about external disturbances, like sound waves. Therefore, sound waves travel faster through these media. Compared to solids, the constituents in a liquid are less tightly bound. Thus, sound...
3.9K
Adhesion01:14

Adhesion

43.9K
Adhesion occurs when one type of molecule is attracted to a different molecule. Water exhibits adhesive properties in the presence of polar surfaces, such as glass or cellulose in plants. For instance, when water is poured into a glass, the positively charged hydrogen molecules of water are more attracted to the negatively charged oxygen molecules in the silica than to the oxygen in neighboring water molecules.
Capillary action is a result of water’s adhesive tendencies. When a narrow...
43.9K
Errors and Mistakes in Surveying01:19

Errors and Mistakes in Surveying

669
Errors and mistakes in surveying refer to inaccuracies in measurements and data recording. The errors are deviations from the actual value caused by human sensory limitations, equipment flaws, or environmental effects. These errors are typically unintentional and can result from the inherent imperfections in the instruments used, atmospheric conditions, or the observer’s inability to perceive exact measurements. On the other hand, mistakes are caused by the surveyor's lack of...
669
Metallic Solids02:37

Metallic Solids

20.6K
Metallic solids such as crystals of copper, aluminum, and iron are formed by metal atoms. The structure of metallic crystals is often described as a uniform distribution of atomic nuclei within a “sea” of delocalized electrons. The atoms within such a metallic solid are held together by a unique force known as metallic bonding that gives rise to many useful and varied bulk properties.
All metallic solids exhibit high thermal and electrical conductivity, metallic luster, and malleability....
20.6K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Polydopamine-Cu(II) Ions Functional Coatings on Zinc Wire: Surface Characterization and Degradation Behavior.

ACS materials Au·2026
Same author

Strut Thickness and Species-Specific Healing Are Key Considerations in Developing Zinc-Based Biodegradable Arterial Stents.

Journal of biomedical materials research. Part B, Applied biomaterials·2026
Same author

Effect of Melt Spinning on Microstructure and Corrosion Uniformity of Zn-Ag-based Alloy.

Journal of alloys and compounds·2026
Same author

Microstructural Control of Zn Alloy by Melt Spinning - A Novel Approach Towards Fabrication of Advanced Biodegradable Biomedical Materials.

Materials science & engineering. A, Structural materials : properties, microstructure and processing·2025
Same author

Overview of biodegradable materials for bone repair and osteosarcoma treatment: From bulk to scaffolds.

Biomaterials advances·2025
Same author

Albumins inhibit the corrosion of absorbable Zn alloys at initial stages of degradation.

Surface innovations·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 27, 2026

Development of an In Vitro Ocular Platform to Test Contact Lenses
08:28

Development of an In Vitro Ocular Platform to Test Contact Lenses

Published on: April 6, 2016

11.2K

Contact angles: From past mistakes to new developments through liquid-solid adhesion measurements.

Jaroslaw W Drelich1

  • 1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USA.

Advances in Colloid and Interface Science
|March 13, 2019
PubMed
Summary

Contact angle measurements are critical for understanding liquid spreading and adhesion but often misinterpreted. This review clarifies equilibrium contact angle physics and highlights advancements in measurement techniques for accurate interpretation.

Keywords:
Contact angleLiquid-solid adhesionWetting

More Related Videos

Using Cell-substrate Impedance and Live Cell Imaging to Measure Real-time Changes in Cellular Adhesion and De-adhesion Induced by Matrix Modification
09:11

Using Cell-substrate Impedance and Live Cell Imaging to Measure Real-time Changes in Cellular Adhesion and De-adhesion Induced by Matrix Modification

Published on: February 19, 2015

11.4K
Angle-resolved Photoemission Spectroscopy At Ultra-low Temperatures
08:53

Angle-resolved Photoemission Spectroscopy At Ultra-low Temperatures

Published on: October 9, 2012

18.2K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 27, 2026

Development of an In Vitro Ocular Platform to Test Contact Lenses
08:28

Development of an In Vitro Ocular Platform to Test Contact Lenses

Published on: April 6, 2016

11.2K
Using Cell-substrate Impedance and Live Cell Imaging to Measure Real-time Changes in Cellular Adhesion and De-adhesion Induced by Matrix Modification
09:11

Using Cell-substrate Impedance and Live Cell Imaging to Measure Real-time Changes in Cellular Adhesion and De-adhesion Induced by Matrix Modification

Published on: February 19, 2015

11.4K
Angle-resolved Photoemission Spectroscopy At Ultra-low Temperatures
08:53

Angle-resolved Photoemission Spectroscopy At Ultra-low Temperatures

Published on: October 9, 2012

18.2K

Area of Science:

  • Surface Science
  • Physical Chemistry
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Contact angle interpretation is complex and historically controversial, despite its apparent simplicity.
  • Misinterpretations of experimental contact angles are common in scientific literature.
  • Advancements in imaging and force measurement techniques have improved understanding over the last two decades.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To restate the physics of equilibrium contact angles and discuss their misuse.
  • To critically review historical advances in contact angle measurement and interpretation.
  • To summarize recent progress in understanding contact angles and their correlation with adhesion.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing a microelectronic balance system for direct force measurements of liquid droplets on solids.
  • Simultaneously measuring droplet-surface separation forces and collecting optical images.
  • Analyzing capillary and surface tension forces using droplet dimensions, surface shapes, and contact angle values.

Main Results:

  • Force measurements provide a deeper understanding of advancing, receding, and stable contact angles.
  • Direct force measurements correlate contact angles with liquid-solid adhesion forces.
  • Advanced imaging and microbalance techniques enable simultaneous force and dimensional analysis.

Conclusions:

  • Accurate interpretation of contact angles requires careful consideration of various factors beyond simple geometry.
  • Direct force measurements are crucial for validating contact angle interpretations and understanding adhesion.
  • Continued progress in measurement methodologies is essential for advancing the field of liquid-solid interactions.