Question

When an adsorbent is in contact with more than one gas (adsorbate):

• A. Both gases get adsorbed on adsorbent without any preference
• B. Gas with high critical temperature is readily adsorbed.
• C. Gas with low critical temperature is readily adsorbed.
• D. No adsorption takes place.

Answer 1

The correct option is B Gas with high critical temperature is readily adsorbed.

When an adsorbent is in contact with more than one species. There will be competition amongst them to get adsorbed on the surface of the adsorbent. The one that is more strongly adsorbed gets deposited first in preference to
the others.

Adsorption of gas on the surface of adsorbent depends on the critical temperature of the gas. Critical temperature has a direct relation with adsorption - Higher the critical temperature, greater will be the adsorption.

Gases having higher critical temperature are easily liquefied as van der Waals’ forces are stronger near the critical temperatures $T_C$

Easily liquefiable gas has strong van der Waal's force so they are easily adsorbed on adsorbent.

Hence, option (b) is correct.