Question

What happens in adsorption?

Answer 1

Adsorption:

• In adsorption, the accumulation of molecular species at the surface rather than in the bulk of a solid or liquid takes place.
• It is a surface phenomenon.
• For adsorption to occur, there must be an adsorbate and adsorbent.

Adsorbate:

• The molecular species or substance, which concentrates or accumulates at the surface is termed adsorbate.
• Examples of adsorbate are gases such as Hydrogen$\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\right)$ and Nitrogen $\left({\mathrm{N}}_2\right)$.

Adsorbent:

• The material on the surface of which the adsorption takes place is called an adsorbent.
• Examples of adsorbents are silica gel, charcoal, and alumina gel.

Example of Adsorption:

• The air becomes dry in the existence of silica gel as the water molecules get soaked up on the surface of the gel.