- Cohesion: Water molecules are attracted to one another due to the polar nature of water (a polar covalent bond). This attractive force between the molecules holds them together and creates surface tension.

- Adhesion: The oil droplet's molecules are attracted to water molecules (hydrophilic), allowing it to spread out on the surface. This affinity for water enables the oil droplet to overcome the cohesive forces between water molecules, causing the oil to disperse across the water's surface.

The spreading occurs because:

1. Oil has lower density than water.

2. Oil molecules are relatively non-polar, meaning they are not attracted to each other as strongly as water molecules.

3. Oil molecules are repelled by water molecules, while water molecules attract one another.

>As a result of these factors, the oil droplet has a lower surface energy than the water, and so it spreads out to minimize its surface area and reduce its energy state.