Which term refers to the force that makes two surfaces stick together?

Adhesion is the term that refers to the force that makes two surfaces stick together. This phenomenon occurs at the molecular level, where different materials create attractive forces that bond them. In the context of nail technology and manicures, understanding adhesion is crucial for the application of products like nail polishes, gels, and artificial nails, as these products rely on proper adhesion to ensure longevity and durability.

Good adhesion is critical in achieving a smooth finish and preventing peeling or lifting. When the surfaces of the natural nail and the nail product do not adhere well, it can lead to dissatisfaction with the manicure and possibly cause damage to the natural nail.

While friction concerns the resistance between two surfaces in motion, and attraction refers more generally to any force that draws objects together, these do not specifically address the bonding nature between two distinct surfaces as adhesion does. Coalescence refers to the process where droplets merge to form a larger droplet, which is different from the sticking properties involved in adhesion.