Definition

Noun: * The property of being water-repellent; tending to repel and not absorb water: Hydrophobicity describes the physical characteristic of a substance or surface that causes it to resist mixing with, being wetted by, or absorbing water. Water droplets tend to bead up on hydrophobic materials.

Usage

Hydrophobicity is a scientific term used primarily in chemistry, biology, materials science, and physics. It describes a fundamental property of molecules (like oils) or surfaces (like a waxed car or a lotus leaf).

Examples

• The hydrophobicity of the leaf's surface causes rainwater to form perfect beads and roll off.
• Scientists measured the hydrophobicity of the new synthetic fabric.
• The molecule's hydrophobicity is due to its long nonpolar carbon chain.

Advanced Usage

• Degree of Hydrophobicity: The property can be quantified, for example, by measuring the contact angle of a water droplet on a surface. A higher contact angle indicates greater hydrophobicity.
• Superhydrophobicity: An extreme form of hydrophobicity where surfaces are highly water-repellent, often exhibiting contact angles greater than 150 degrees. This is sometimes called the "lotus effect."

Variants and Related Words

• Hydrophobic (Adjective): Having the property of hydrophobicity; water-repellent.
  • Oils are hydrophobic substances.
• Hydrophobe (Noun): A hydrophobic substance or molecule.
• Hydrophilicity (Noun): The opposite property; having an affinity for water, tending to absorb or be wetted by water.

Synonyms

• Water-repellency
• Water resistance (in a general context for surfaces)

Antonyms

• Hydrophilicity
• Water-attracting
• Water-absorbent

Noun

1. the property of being water-repellent; tending to repel and not absorb water