(wk1b) Gecko Adhesion and Intermolecular Forces

Flashcards covering the principles of gecko adhesion, intermolecular forces, and the specialized structures on gecko feet.

Gecko adhesion principle

The principle which geckos use to stick to surfaces. Their physical structures and intermolecular forces are combined and uses the attraction of positive and negative charges to climb surfaces.

Electronegativity

An atom's relative greed or affinity for electrons.

Patchy charges

Positively and negatively charged areas within a molecule that is not overall charged, created when electrons are pulled towards more electronegative atoms. AKA. two different political parties are in a neutral environment and those people in those parties are pulled towards certain environments.

Van der Waals forces

Weak attractive interactions between uncharged molecules, caused by temporary, flickering charges from constantly moving electrons that create momentary positive and negative spots.

Gecko sticking mechanism

Achieved when billions of spatulae on the gecko's unfurled toes hit a surface at the perfect angle, maximizing surface area contact and engaging cumulative van der Waals forces.

Bio-inspired adhesives

Man-made materials designed to imitate the gecko's adhesive ability by using arrays of specially shaped bristles to maximize van der Waals forces between ordinary molecules.