Wettability

Wettability refers to how easily a liquid can spread across or soak into a solid surface. It is determined by the balance between the attractive forces between the liquid molecules and those between the liquid and the solid. If the liquid spreads out and adheres well, the surface is considered "wettable" or hydrophilic (for water). If the liquid beads up and doesn’t spread much, the surface is "non-wettible" or hydrophobic. Wettability affects processes like ink printing, oil recovery, and how water interacts with materials, playing a key role in many natural and industrial applications.