ELi5: What makes sticky things sticky?
In: 8
Various molecules are able to react and bond with other molecules to varying degrees. Sticky substances tend to do so faster than less sticky substances, and they often will react and bond with a wider variety of other molecules.
You need a viscolelastic liquid coating. Essentially this is thick liquid that resists moving, so force is is needed. This liquid will wet and stick to two surfaces (say two fingers). To move the fingers apart takes a force that we call sticky.
What makes the thick liquid stick to the surfaces? Its just normal attractions that all molecules have for each other.
What makes a liquid viscoelastic? Normally it is long polymer molecules (such as rubber) dissolved in the liquid . The polymers act a bit like spaghetti chains, getting tangled and slowing the liquid motion.
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