Key Ideas Properties of Water

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What is cohesion?

Water molecules are

very attracted to

each other. The

tendency of water

molecules to stick to

one another is called

cohesion.

The cohesion of water helps
explain some natural phenomena, as well as a few
other properties of water.

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What is surface tension?

Because of cohesion, the other molecules of water
pull the surface molecules inward. This makes the
surface of the water act like a thin film. This
surface can support insects that would otherwise
sink. Surface tension cause a droplet of water to
take a spherical shape.

Photo credit: Jan Miko/Shutterstock

​Surface tension is

the strength of

the surface of

water.

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What is adhesion?

Adhesion is the attraction of molecules

of water to the molecules of another

substance.

Photo credit: Vladimir Khodataev/Shutterstock

​Adhesion explains why water
clings to vertical surfaces and the undersides of some objects
despite the force of gravity.

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What is adhesion?

Adhesion and cohesion help plants draw water up through their stems. Because of adhesion, the water molecules stick to the inside of the plant's stem. Then the water molecules pull other water molecules up because of cohesion. This process, called capillary action, makes it easier for the plants to get water.

Capillary action

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