What property describes the joining of surfaces that are different in composition?

The joining of surfaces that are different in composition is described by adhesion. Adhesion refers to the attractive forces between unlike molecules or surfaces. This property is crucial in many biological processes. For example, adhesion allows water molecules to stick to the walls of plant vessels, enabling the efficient transport of water and nutrients.

In contrast, cohesion describes the attraction between similar molecules, such as water molecules sticking to each other due to hydrogen bonding. A concentration gradient refers to the difference in the concentration of a substance between two regions, which is not directly related to surface interactions. A solvent is a substance that dissolves a solute, forming a solution, and while it involves interactions between different substances, it does not specifically address the joining of different surfaces. Adhesion thus accurately captures the concept of different materials or surfaces coming together.