Answer:
Adsorption is a process which involves the accumulation of a substance in molecular species in higher concentration on the surface. For the adsorption process, two components are required,
- Adsorbate: Substance that is deposited on the surface of another substance. For example, H2, N2 and O2 gases.
- Adsorbent: Surface of a substance on which adsorbate adsorbs. For example, Charcoal, Silica gel, Alumina.
The difference between physical and chemical adsorption are tabulated below.
| Physical adsorption | Chemical Adsorption |
| This type of adsorption is also known as physisorption. | This type of adsorption is also known as chemisorption. |
| It is due to weak Van der Waals forces between adsorbate and adsorbent. | It is due to strong chemical forces of bonding type between adsorbate and adsorbent. |
| This adsorption is a multi-layered process. | This type of adsorption is almost a single-layered phenomenon. |
| Surface area, temperature, pressure, nature of adsorbate effects physisorption | Surface area, temperature, nature of adsorbate effects chemisorption. |
| Examples: H2 and N2 gases adsorb on coconut charcoal | Examples: Charcoal, Silica gel, Alumina. |
