--%>

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 is protein in Chemistry Illustrate

    Illustrate what is protein in Chemistry?

  • 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 : Liquid Vapour Free Energies The free

    The free energy of a component of a liquid solution is equal to its free energy in the equilibrium vapour.Partial molal free energies let us deal with the free energy of the components of a solution. We use these free energies, or simpler concentration ter

  • Q : Composition of the vapour Choose the

    Choose the right answer from following. An ideal solution was obtained by mixing methanol and ethanol. If the partial vapour pressure of methanol and ethanol are 2.619KPa and 4.556KPa respectively, the composition of the vapour (in terms of mole fraction) will be: (

  • Q : Concentration of urea Help me to go

    Help me to go through this problem. 6.02x 1020 molecules of urea are present in 100 ml of its solution. The concentration of urea solution is: (a) 0.02 M (b) 0.01 M (c) 0.001 M (d) 0.1 M (Avogadro constant, N4= 6.02x 1023mol -1)<

  • Q : Haloalkanes define primary secondary

    define primary secondary and tertiary alkyl halides with examples

  • Q : Molarity A solution has volume 200ml

    A solution has volume 200ml and molarity 0.1.if it is diluted 5times then calculate the molarity of reasulying solution and the amount of water added to it.

  • Q : Problem on making solutions The weight

    The weight of pure NaOH needed to made 250cm3 of 0.1 N solution is: (a) 4g  (b) 1g  (c) 2g  (d) 10g Choose the right answer from above.

  • Q : Volume of solution containing solute

    What volume of solution contains 0.1 mole of the solute: (a) 100ml (b) 125ml  (c) 500ml (d) 62.5ml Choose the right answer from above.

  • Q : Problem on molarity-normality-molality

    Can someone please help me in getting through this problem. The solution ofAl2(SO4)3 d = 1.253gm/m comprise 22% salt by weight. The molarity, normality and molality of the solution is: (1) 0.805 M, 4.83 N, 0.825 M (2)