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Adhesion

Adhesion

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...

Cohesion

Cohesion

Cohesion is the attraction between molecules of the same type, such as water molecules. Water molecules have an overall neutral charge but are polar molecule. An oxygen atom in one water molecule has a partial negative charge that can bind to a hydrogen atom with a partial positive charge in a second water molecule, forming a hydrogen bond. Each water molecule can form up to four hydrogen bonds with other water molecules. Hydrogen bonds are responsible for water's cohesive nature.
On a...

Surface Tension, Capillary Action, and Viscosity

Surface Tension, Capillary Action, and Viscosity

Surface Tension
The various IMFs between identical molecules of a substance are examples of cohesive forces. The molecules within a liquid are surrounded by other molecules and are attracted equally in all directions by the cohesive forces within the liquid. However, the molecules on the surface of a liquid are attracted only by about one-half as many molecules. Because of the unbalanced molecular attractions on the surface molecules, liquids contract to form a shape that minimizes the number...

Rise of Liquid in a Capillary Tube

Rise of Liquid in a Capillary Tube

When very thin cylindrical tubes, called capillaries, are dipped in a liquid, the liquid rises or falls in the tube compared to the surrounding liquid. This phenomenon is called capillary action. Capillary action occurs due to the combination of two opposing forces: the cohesive forces of the liquid, which cause it to stick to itself and form a rounded shape, and the adhesive forces between the liquid and the walls of the container, which cause the liquid to be attracted to the container walls.

Two Components: Liquid–Liquid Systems

Two Components: Liquid–Liquid Systems

A pressure-composition phase diagram explicitly describes the behavior of an ideal solution of two volatile liquids under varying pressures and compositions. A pressure-composition diagram has two main curves. The bubble point curve represents the plot of pressure versus liquid mole fraction. It indicates the pressure at which the first bubble of vapor forms from the liquid phase as the system pressure decreases.The dew point curve is the pressure versus vapor mole fraction. It indicates the...

Capillarity in Fluid

Capillarity in Fluid

Capillarity describes the movement of liquid in small spaces without external forces acting on it. The capillarity is driven by surface tension and adhesive interactions between the liquid and surrounding solid surfaces. This effect is often seen in narrow tubes, porous materials, and fine particles.
Surface tension is crucial to capillarity. It results from cohesive forces between liquid molecules at the liquid-air boundary, forming a skin that resists external forces. When the capillary tube...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 4, 2026

Insect-controlled Robot: A Mobile Robot Platform to Evaluate the Odor-tracking Capability of an Insect

Insect-controlled Robot: A Mobile Robot Platform to Evaluate the Odor-tracking Capability of an Insect

Published on: December 19, 2016

Fluid-based adhesion in insects - principles and challenges.

Jan-Henning Dirks¹, Walter Federle¹

¹Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, United Kingdom.

|March 4, 2026

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Insect adhesion relies on nanometre-thin fluid films, not just physical contact. This fluid enhances grip on rough surfaces and resists sliding, though secretion and fluid layer details remain unclear.

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The Ingestion of Fluorescent, Magnetic Nanoparticles for Determining Fluid-uptake Abilities in Insects

The Ingestion of Fluorescent, Magnetic Nanoparticles for Determining Fluid-uptake Abilities in Insects

Published on: December 20, 2017

Area of Science:

Biophysics
Insect Morphology
Adhesion Science

Background:

Insects utilize specialized adhesive pads for locomotion on diverse surfaces.
The precise mechanisms underlying insect adhesion are not fully elucidated, posing challenges across scientific disciplines.
Existing knowledge suggests nanometre-thin fluid films mediate contact between insect adhesive organs and substrates.

Purpose of the Study:

To review current understanding of fluid-mediated insect adhesion.
To identify unresolved questions in insect adhesive mechanisms.
To highlight the role of fluid properties in insect attachment.

Main Methods:

Literature review of insect adhesion research.
Analysis of fluid dynamics and surface interactions in insect attachment.
Synthesis of findings on fluid secretion, layer thickness, and surface influences.

Main Results:

Insect adhesion is significantly influenced by nanometre-thin fluid films.
These fluids increase contact area on rough surfaces and provide resistance to sliding.
The rheological properties of the adhesive fluid are crucial for effective adhesion.

Conclusions:

Fluid-based mechanisms are central to insect adhesion.
Further research is needed on fluid secretion processes.
Understanding the precise fluid layer thickness and surface property interactions is critical for future advancements.