What is the intermolecular force that holds together the molecules in a solid or liquid called?

The intermolecular force that holds together the molecules in a solid or liquid is referred to as cohesion. This force arises from interactions between the molecules themselves, such as hydrogen bonds, dipole-dipole interactions, and London dispersion forces. In solids and liquids, cohesion is strong enough to maintain the structural integrity of the substance, keeping the molecules closely associated with one another.

Cohesion is particularly evident in liquids, where it allows for phenomena such as surface tension, whereby water molecules at the surface of a liquid exert a stronger attractive force on each other than on the air above. This property is also a key reason why liquids form droplets rather than spreading out into a thin layer. In solid forms, such as ice, cohesion contributes to the rigidity and stable structure of the material.

In contrast, the other terms provided are not related to the intermolecular forces holding solids and liquids together. Adhesion refers to the attraction between different substances, such as water molecules and glass. An enzyme is a type of protein that catalyzes biochemical reactions and does not relate to the molecular structure of solids or liquids. A proton gradient refers to a difference in proton concentration across a membrane and is typically related to processes like cellular respiration and photosynthesis, rather than the interm