What kind of non covalent force is involved in a gecko sticking? By the way, it can stick to both hydrophobic and hydrophilic substances.
1 Answer
A gecko uses London dispersion forces to stick to surfaces.
Explanation:
Geckos can stick to surfaces because their toes are covered in millions of microscopic hairs called setae (bristles).
Each seta is about 100 µm long and 5 µm in diameter and consists of even thinner bristles with flat caps at the ends called spatulae.
There are about
All of these spatulae (which are about 500 pm in diameter), have such a large surface area that the combined London dispersion forces allow the gecko to stick to almost anything.
If a mature gecko were to have all of its setae in contact with a surface at one time, it could potentially support up to 130 kg.
Geckos leave footprints in the form of phospholipid residues.
Phospholipids have a polar head and a nonpolar tail, so phospholipid membranes can attract water on one side and repel it on the other.
Phospholipids may also play a role in a gecko’s stickiness.
Here's one person who knows how to use a gecko's sticky powers.
