Eli5: What makes things “sticky” like tape or any kind of adhesive? How do they stick on to smooth surfaces instead of coming off?

Question

Eli5: What makes things “sticky” like tape or any kind of adhesive? How do they stick on to smooth surfaces instead of coming off?

In: Chemistry

Answer 1

Broadly speaking it’s intermolecular forces. Depending on the surface/adhesive, the primary force is usually dispersion forces (for big molecules like oils) and hydrogen bonds (how sugar is sticky).