--%>
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 : Product of HCl Zn Illustrate  the

    Illustrate  the product of HCl Zn?

    		•
  • Q : Problem on Neutralization What weight

    What weight of hydrated oxalic acid should be added for complete neutralisation of 100 ml of 0.2N - NaOH solution? (a) 0.45 g  (b)0.90 g  (c) 1.08 g  (d) 1.26 g      Answer

    		•
  • Q : Explain structure basicity of amines.

    Basic character of amines is related to their structural arrangement. Basic strength of amines depends on the relative ease of formation of the corresponding cation by accepting a proton from the acid. Greater the stability of cation is, more is basic strength of amine.Alkyl a

    		•
  • Q : Problem on solutions The 2N aqueous

    The 2N aqueous solution of H2S04 contains: (a) 49 gm of H2S04 per litre of solution (b) 4.9 gm of H2S04 per litre of solution (c) 98 gm of H2S04

    		•
  • Q : Inorganic Chemistry Inorganic

    Inorganic Chemistry:In the year 1869, Russian Chemist Dmitry Mendeleyev forms the periodic table of the element. Since Newlands did before him in the year 1863, Mendeleyev categorizes the el

    		•
  • Q : Means of molality Give me answer of

    Give me answer of this question. The number of moles of solute per kg of a solvent is called its: (a) Molarity (b) Normality (c) Molar fraction (d) Molality

    		•
  • Q : Surface Tension Vapour Pressure The

    The vapor pressure of small liquid drops depends on the drop size. Although the surface properties of a liquid are different from those of the bulk liquid, the special surface properties can be ignored except in a few situations. One is the case in which a liquid is dispersed into fine dr

    		•
  • Q : Explain Vapour Pressure Composition A

    A pressure composition diagram for a liquid vapor system can be used to show the composition of the liquid and equilibrium vapor.Vapor equilibrium data are useful in the study of distillations. It is of value to have diagrams showing not only the vapor pre

    		•
  • 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 : Mole fraction of hydrogen Give me

    Give me answer of this question. In a mixture of 1 gm H2 and 8 gm O2 , the mole fraction of hydrogen is: (a) 0.667 (b) 0.5 (c) 0.33 (d) None of these

    		•