--%>
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 : What are haloalkanes and haloarenes and

    Alkyl halides or haloalkanes are the compounds in which a halogen is bonded to an alkyl group. They have the general formula RX (where R is alkyl grou

    		•
  • Q : Theory of one dimensional motion For

    For motion in one dimension, the distribution of the molecules over quantum states, speeds, and energies can be deduced.Here we show that the energy of a macroscopic gas sample can be described on the basis of our knowledge of the quantum states allowed to

    		•
  • Q : Neutralization of sodium hydroxide How

    How much of NaOH is needed to neutralise 1500 cm3 of 0.1N HCl (given = At. wt. of Na =23): (i) 4 g  (ii) 6 g (iii) 40 g  (iv) 60 g

    		•
  • Q : Organic structure of cetearyl alcohol

    Show the organic structure of cetearyl alcohol and state what the organic family is? Briefly state it.

    		•
  • Q : Molar mass of compound The freezing

    The freezing point of a solution having 4.8 g of a compound in 60 g of benzene is 4.48. Determine the molar mass of the compound (Kf = 5.1 Km-1) , (freezing point of  benzene = 5.5oC)          &n

    		•
  • Q : Q what is the basicity of primary

    what is the basicity of primary secondary and tertiary amines in chlorobenzene

    		•
  • Q : Molecular weight of solute Select right

    Select right answer of the question. A dry air is passed through the solution, containing the 10 gm of solute and 90 gm of water and then it pass through pure water. There is the depression in weight of solution wt by 2.5 gm and in weight of pure solvent by 0.05 gm. C

    		•
  • Q : Describe First Order Rate Equation The

    The integrated forms of the first order rate equations are conveniently used to compare concentration time results with this rate equation. Rate equations show the dependence of the rate of the reaction on concentration can be integrated to give expressions fo

    		•
  • Q : Why aryl halides are less reactive?

    Aryl halides are much less reactive towards nucleophilic substitution reactions than haloalkanes. The less reactivity of aryl halides can be described

    		•
  • Q : Question 6 A student was analyzing an

    A student was analyzing an unknown containing only Group IV cations. When the unknown was treated with 3M (NH4)2CO3 solution, a white precipitate formed. Because the acetic acid bottle was empty, the student used 6M HCl to dissolve the precipitate. Following the procedure of this experiment, the stu

    		•