kohesioon
Kohesioon refers to the force of attraction between molecules of the same substance. This internal adhesion is responsible for phenomena such as surface tension, where liquids tend to minimize their surface area, forming droplets rather than spreading out thinly. The strength of cohesive forces varies depending on the substance; for example, water exhibits strong cohesion due to hydrogen bonding between its molecules. This high cohesion is crucial for many biological processes, like the transport of water in plants through xylem vessels. In contrast, substances with weaker intermolecular forces, such as gases, have negligible cohesive forces. Understanding cohesion is fundamental in fields like chemistry, physics, and materials science for predicting and explaining the behavior of matter.