Cohesion (from
Latin cohaerere "stick or stay together") or
cohesive attraction or
cohesive force is the action or
property of like
molecules sticking together, being mutually
attractive. It is an intrinsic property of a
substance that is caused by the shape and structure of its molecules, which makes the distribution of orbiting
electrons irregular when molecules get close to one another, creating
electrical attraction that can maintain a microscopic structure such as a
water drop. In other words, cohesion allows for
surface tension, creating a "solid-like" state upon which light (in weight) or low-density materials can be placed.