Cohesion

Mutual attraction between molecules. It varies in amount with different substances and with any change of state in the same substance. It is le active in liquids than in solids, and is entirely wanting in the gaseous state. Between two surfaces it resists their separation when they are pulled apart in a direction perpendicular to the plane of contact. Dry earth has little cohesion, but damp earth has a cohesive force of 50 lbs. or more per foot of surface.