What is Dispersive and How Does it Differ from Cohesive?

Dispersive refers to the property of a material or substance that causes it to spread out or disperse over a surface or medium. This can occur through various mechanisms, such as diffusion, convection, or sedimentation. Dispersive materials or substances tend to be non-cohesive and have a low viscosity, which allows them to flow easily and spread out over a surface.

Examples of dispersive materials include:

1. Liquids: Water, alcohol, and other liquids are good examples of dispersive materials because they can flow easily and spread out over a surface.
2. Gases: Gases like air and nitrogen are also dispersive because they can diffuse through a medium and spread out over a large area.
3. Powders: Some powders, such as sugar or flour, are dispersive because they can be easily blown or scattered over a surface.
4. Colloids: Some colloidal suspensions, such as milk or ink, are dispersive because the particles can spread out and mix with other substances.

In contrast, cohesive materials tend to stick together and do not spread out easily over a surface. Examples of cohesive materials include:

1. Solids: Most solids, such as metals, plastics, and wood, are cohesive because they have a high viscosity and do not flow easily.
2. Viscous liquids: Some liquids, such as honey or syrup, are viscous and do not spread out easily over a surface.
3. Non-Newtonian fluids: Some fluids, such as cornstarch mixed with water, exhibit non-Newtonian behavior and do not spread out easily over a surface.

Understanding the dispersive or cohesive properties of materials is important in various fields, such as engineering, chemistry, and biology, because it can help us understand how materials will behave in different situations and how they can be used to achieve specific goals.