--%>
Assignment Help - homework help

Explain the process of adsorption in solution.

The process of adsorption can occurs in solutions also. This implies that the solid surfaces can also adsorb solutes from solutions. Some clarifying examples are listed below:


(i) When an aqueous solution of ethanoic acid (CH3COOH) is shaken with charcoal. The concentration of acid in the solution is found to decrease because a part of acid is adsorbed by charcoal.

(ii) Litmus solution become colourless when it is shaken with charcoal which indicates that the dye of litmus solution is adsorbed by charcoal.

(iii) Mg(OH)2 is colorless but when it is precipitated in the presence of magneton reagent (a bluish dye) the precipitate acquire blue colour due to adsorption of dye on their surface.

It has also been observed that if we have a solution containing more than one solutes, then the solid adsorbents can adsorb certain solutes in preference to other solutes and solvents. The property is made use of in removing colouring matters from solutions of organic substances. For example, raw sugar solution is decolourised by animal charcoal.

Factors affecting adsorption from solutions

Adsorption from solutions by the solid adsorbents depends on the following factors.

(i) Nature of adsorbent and adsorbate

(ii) Temperature: the extent of adsorption, in general, decreases with rise in the surface area of adsorbent.

(iii) Surface area: the extent adsorption increase with the increase in the surface area of adsorbent.

(iv) Concentration: the effect of concentration on the extent of adsorption isotherm similar to Freundlich adsorption isotherm. The relationship between mass of solute adsorbed per gram (x/m) is given by the following relations:
                                                 
x/m = kC1/n              (n > 1)

Taking logarithm, equation becomes
                                               
log x/m = log k + (1/n) log C

A graph between log x/m and log C is a straight line, similar to graph.

Experimental verification of equation can be done by taking equal volume of acetic acid solutions of different concentrations in four different bottles fitted with stoppers. The contents should be well mixed. The concentration of acetic acid is found in each bottle. This concentration refers to equilibrium concentration (c). The difference of original concentration and equilibrium concentration gives the value of amount of acetic acid adsorbed by charcoal (x). log (x/m) values of different plotted against C. 

   Related Questions in Chemistry

  • Q : Finding Normality Can someone please

    Can someone please help me in getting through this problem. Concentrated H2SO4 has a density of 1.98 gm/ml and is 98% H2SO4 by weight. The normality is: (a) 2 N  (b) 19.8 N  (c) 39.6 N  (d) 98

    		•
  • Q : Molarity of Nacl solution When 5.85 g

    When 5.85 g of NaCl (having molecular weight 58.5) is dissolved in water and the solution is prepared to 0.5 litres, the molarity of the solution is: (i) 0.2 (ii) 0.4 (iii) 1.0 (iv) 0.1

    		•
  • Q : What is adsorption and its examples. In

    In a liquid a solid substance a molecule present within the bulk of the substance is being attracted infirmly from all sides by the neighbouring molecules. Hence there is no bet force acting on the molecule or there are no unbalanced forces of the molecule. On the oth

    		•
  • Q : Molecular Structure type The ionic

    The ionic radii of Rb+ and I- respectively are 1.46 Å and 2.16Å. The very most probable type of structure exhibited by it is: (a) CsCl type  (b) ZnS type  (c) Nacl type  (d) CaF2 type

    Q : Electrochemistry ( electrolysis of

    1. Define Faraday's first law of electrolysis 2. define Faraday's second law of electrolysis

    		•
  • Q : Illustrate the Lewis Dot Structure

    Illustrate the Lewis Dot Structure for the CH4O.

    		•
  • Q : Oxoacids of halogens Why oxidising

    Why oxidising character of oxoacids of halogens decreases as oxidation number increases?

    		•
  • Q : Problem on decomposition reaction

    Nitrogen tetroxide (melting point: -11.2°C, normal boiling point 21.15°C) decomposes into nitrogen dioxide according to the following reaction: N2O4(g) ↔ 2 NO2(g)<

    		•
  • Q : What are lattices and unit cells? The

    The repeating, atomic level structure of a crystal can be represented by a lattice and by the repeating unit of the lattice, the unit cell.It was apparent very early in the study of crystals that the shapes of crystals stem from an ordered array of smaller

    		•
  • Q : What do you mean by the term hydra What

    What do you mean by the term hydra? Briefly define it.

    		•