Question

Explain imbibition in simple words with examples.How is it different from osmosis?

Answer 1

Imbibition can be defined as the type if diffusion where a fluid is taken up by a solid material resulting in the swelling of the material. In the process of imbibition the fluid is adsorbed by the material as it doesn’t get mixed up with the constituents of the material instead it stays more towards the surface and its presence increases the size of material.

Imbibition is different from osmosis as osmosis involves movement of water along the concentration gradient, but in imbibition water is always absorbed inwards. Also, during imbibition water remains towards the surface while in osmosis it mixes with the constituents.