--%>
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 : Benzoic acid is weaker than paranitro

    Briefly state that Benzoic acid is weaker than paranitro benzoic acid?

    		•
  • Q : Explain reactions of carbonyl oxygen

    In these reaction oxygen atom of carbonyl group is replaced by either one divalent group or two monovalent groups. Reaction by ammonia derivatives: aldehydes and ketones react with a number of ammonia derivatives such as hydroxylaminem hydrazine, semicarbazide etc. in weak acidic medium.

    		•
  • Q : Eutectic Formation In some two

    In some two component, solid liquid systems, a eutectic mixture forms.Consider, now a two component system at some fixed pressure, where the temperature range treated is such as to include formation of one or more solid phases. A simple behavior is shown b

    		•
  • Q : What is heat capacity and how to

    The temperature reliance of internal energy and enthalpy depends on the heat capacities at constant volume and constant pressure. The internal energy and enthalpy of chemical systems and the energy changes that accompany chemical reactions depend on the

    		•
  • Q : What is Henry law constant and its

    1. The units of Henry Law constant are same as those of pressure, i.e. torr or h bar. 2. Different gases have dissimilar values of Henry law constant. The values of KH for some gases in water are given in tabl

    		•
  • 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 : Mole fraction and Molality Select the

    Select the right answer of the following question.What does not change on changing temperature : (a) Mole fraction (b) Normality (c) Molality (d) None of these

    		•
  • Q : Mass percent Help me to go through this

    Help me to go through this problem. 10 grams of a solute is dissolved in 90 grams of a solvent. Its mass percent in solution is : (a) 0.01 (b) 11.1 (c)10 (d) 9

    		•
  • Q : Units of Measurement Unit of

      Unit of measurement- These are also some systems for units:      (1) 

    		•
  • Q : Explain the polymers and its types.

    Polymers are the chief products of modern chemical industry which form the backbone of present society. Daily life without the discovery and varied applications of polymers would not have been easier and colourful. The materials made of polymers find multifarious uses and applications in all walk

    		•