What is the term for the attraction between water molecules in a soil matrix?

Cohesion refers to the attraction between water molecules in a soil matrix. This intermolecular force allows water molecules to stick together, creating a strong bond that is essential for various soil characteristics, such as its ability to retain water and maintain structural integrity. In a soil context, cohesion contributes significantly to the behavior of soil under different moisture conditions; it helps hold particles together, influencing the soil's strength and stability.

Adhesion, in contrast, is the attraction between water molecules and soil particles, and while important, it describes a different interaction than cohesion. Capillarity involves the movement of water through the soil due to the combination of cohesion and adhesion but does not specifically address the attraction among water molecules themselves. Hydraulic conductivity pertains to the ability of soil to transmit water, which is more related to the soil's structure and porosity than to the molecular interactions of water.