Sixth Grade
Worksheets
How Does Super Glue Work?
Glue works two ways - by sticking to the surfaces it is applied to and by sticking to itself. When glue sticks to a surface, it is called adhesion. Some examples of adhesion are a piece of tape sticking to paper or bubble gum sticking to the bottom of your shoe. When glue sticks to itself, it is called cohesion. Some materials are sticky but not very cohesive. For example bubble gum is very sticky, but two pieces of wood stuck together with gum could still be pulled apart easily. Glues must not only be sticky but also have good cohesion.
Cohesion works in several different ways. Some glues work by drying, some work by heat and cooling, and some work by chemical reactions.
White household glue holds things together by drying. Sticks of glue in a glue gun use heat and cooling. Super glues work by a chemical reaction.
Super glue is the common name for glues called cyanoacrylates. It is sold under a number of brand names including Super Glue, Krazy Glue, and Gorilla Super Glue.
