What term describes the attraction that causes molecules of the same kind to stick together?

What term describes the attraction that causes molecules of the same kind to stick together?

• A. Adhesion
• B. Cohesion
• C. Attraction
• D. Repulsion

Answer: (B)

The term that describes the attraction causing molecules of the same kind to stick together is cohesion. Cohesion refers to the intermolecular forces that bind similar molecules together, resulting in a collective stability and structure. This phenomenon is particularly observable in water, where hydrogen bonds between water molecules create a high level of cohesion, leading to properties like surface tension.

Adhesion, on the other hand, refers to the attraction between molecules of different substances, which is why it is not the correct choice. Attraction is a more general term that does not specify the type of molecules involved, making it less precise in this context. Repulsion indicates a force that drives similar charges or molecules apart, which contradicts the concept being described. Therefore, cohesion is the accurate term for the attractive force acting between identical molecules.