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Why does glue stick things together?

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Answer: Molecules bond to surfaces

It melts surfaces togetherWrong. Glue doesn't melt materials. It works by forming molecular bonds with surfaces while remaining a separate substance.

Molecules attract magneticallyWrong. Glue has no magnetic properties. The sticking power comes from chemical and mechanical bonding.

Molecules bond to surfacesCorrect! Glue molecules form chemical bonds with surface molecules (adhesion) and with each other (cohesion). Some glues also seep into tiny pores, creating mechanical locks. Different glues use different bonding methods!

Go deeper: Adhesion · Cohesion
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