--%>

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 : Why acetic has less conductivity than

    Illustrate the reason, why acetic has less conductivity than Hcl?

  • Q : Excel assignment I want it before 8 am

    I want it before 8 am tomorow please. I am just wondering how much is going to be ?

  • Q : Meaning of Molar solution Molar

    Molar solution signifies 1 mole of solute present/existed in: (i) 1000g of solvent (ii) 1 litre of solvent (iii) 1 litre of solution (iv) 1000g of solution

  • Q : Strength of any solution Give me answer

    Give me answer of this question. A solution contains 1.2046 x 1024 hydrochloric acid molecules in one dm3 of the solution. The strength of the solution is: (a) 6 N (b) 2 N (c) 4 N (d) 8 N

  • Q : Calculating molarity of a solution

    Select the right answer of the question .The molarity of a 0.2 N N2Co3 solution will be: (a) 0.05 M (b) 0.2 M (c) 0.1 M (d)0.4 M

  • Q : What is depression in freezing point?

    Freezing point of a substance is the temperature at which solid and liquid phases of the substance coexist. It is defined as the temperature at which its solid and liquid phases have the same vapour pressure. The freezing point o

  • Q : What is Flash Photolysis Reactions.

    An example illustrates the type of mechanism that can be written to explain the development of flash photolysis reactions. Often, as the reactions in the ozone layer of the earth's atmosphere, we are interested in the kinetic behavior of species that are not a

  • Q : Lab question Explain how dissolving the

    Explain how dissolving the Group IV carbonate precipitate with 6M CH3COOH, followed by the addition of extra acetic acid, establishes a buffer with a pH of approximately 5.

  • Q : Utilization of glacial acetic acid What

    What is the utilization of glacial acetic acid? Briefly describe the uses.

  • Q : Relative lowering of vapour pressure

    Which of the following solutions will have a lower vapour pressure and why? a) A 5% aqueous solution of cane sugar. b) A 5% aqueous solution of urea.