adsorption

[Section 2C student]

We said that adsorption occurs when reactants sit on the surface of solid catalysts. What exactly happens in the process of adsorption and what makes it different from absorption?

[Stephanie_manasyan]

Hi! Absorption is the process in which a fluid is dissolved by a liquid or a solid (absorbent). Adsorption is the process in which atoms, ions or molecules from a substance (it could be gas, liquid or dissolved solid) adhere to a surface of the adsorbent. Hope this helps!

[Jolene Robles 2H]

They differ in how the substance of the reaction are taken up. Adsorption allows for a substance to stick to another substance/material. Absorption allows for the uptake of a substance to happen into another substance. In short, a substance is either being sticked together (adsorption) or taken up into (absorption).

[005985221]

Adsorption differs from absorption in several key aspects:

Surface Interaction vs. Bulk Interaction: In adsorption, the molecules adhere to the surface of the adsorbent, forming a surface layer, while absorption involves the penetration of molecules into the bulk of the adsorbent material.

Intermolecular Forces: Adsorption typically involves weak intermolecular forces such as Van der Waals forces, whereas absorption often involves stronger forces like hydrogen bonding or chemical bonding between the adsorbate and the adsorbent.

Reversibility: Adsorption is usually a reversible process, where adsorbate molecules can desorb from the surface under appropriate conditions (e.g., temperature or pressure changes). Absorption, on the other hand, may or may not be reversible, depending on the nature of the interaction between the adsorbate and the adsorbent.