Hydrofiilisyydestä
Hydrophilicity describes the affinity of a substance for water, meaning the substance tends to attract and dissolve in water molecules. The term comes from Greek roots hydro (water) and philia (love). Materials that are hydrophilic are often capable of forming hydrogen bonds with water, causing them to absorb or spread water across their surface. Hydrophobic substances, by contrast, repel water and typically cannot form such hydrogen bonds.
A useful quantitative measure of hydrophilicity is the contact angle, the angle formed at the contact point
Examples of hydrophilic materials include cellulose, gelatin, and most proteins, which contain polar groups such as
In environmental contexts, hydrophilic surfaces help in water retention and soil moisture dynamics. In contrast, hydrophobic