What is an example of mechanical adhesion?

Study for the OSAT Physical Science Test. Practice with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Mechanical adhesion refers to the way two materials are held together through physical interlocking or friction, rather than through a chemical bond or attraction.

Sewing two pieces of fabric together is a prime example of mechanical adhesion. This process involves using a needle and thread to physically interlace the fibers of the fabrics, creating a strong connection through the interlocking of the threads with each fabric. This type of adhesion relies on the physical properties of the materials involved, allowing them to stay joined together without any chemical bonding.

Other choices represent different forms of adhesion. For instance, gluing materials together involves a chemical adhesive that bonds the surfaces at a molecular level, which is distinctly different from mechanical interlocking. Coating one material with another often pertains to a surface layer that may or may not rely on mechanical attributes, and electrostatic attachment involves forces that are not reliant on physical interlocking, instead relying on electrical charges. Therefore, the sewing of fabric stands out as the definitive example of mechanical adhesion.

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