--%>

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 : Molal elevation constant of water The

    The boiling point of 0.1 molal aqueous solution of urea is 100.18oC  at 1 atm. The molal elevation constant of water is: (a) 1.8    (b) 0.18   (c) 18    (d) 18.6Answer: (a) Kb

  • Q : Effect on vapour pressure of dissolving

    Give me answer of this question. When a substance is dissolved in a solvent the vapour pressure of the solvent is decreased. This results in: (a) An increase in the b.p. of the solution (b) A decrease in the b.p. of the solvent (c) The solution having a higher fr

  • Q : Simulate the column in HYSYS The

    The objective of this work is to separate a binary mixture and to cool down the bottom product for storage. (Check table below to see which mixture you are asked to study). 100 kmol of feed containing 10 mol percent of the lighter component enters a continuous distillation column at the m

  • Q : P- block why pentahalids are more

    why pentahalids are more covalent than tetrahalids

  • Q : Cations Explain how dissolving the

    Explain how dissolving the Group IV carbonate precipitate with 6M CH3COOH, followed by the addition of extra acetic acid.

  • Q : Molal concentration Select the right

    Select the right answer of the question. If one mole of any substance is present in of solvent, then: (a) It shows molar concentration (b) It shows molal concentration (c) It shows normality (d) It shows strength.

  • Q : Molarity of Sodium hydroxide Select the

    Select the right answer of the question. Molarity of 4% NaOH solution is : (a) 0.1M (b) 0.5M (c) 0.01M (d) 0.05M

  • Q : Explain Phase Rule The relation between

    The relation between the number of phases, components and the degrees of freedom is known as the phase rule. One constituent systems: the identification of an area on a P-versus-T with one phase of a component system illustrates the two degrees of freedom that

  • Q : Problem on vapour pressure Choose the

    Choose the right answer from following. If P and P are the vapour pressure of a solvent and its solution respectively N1 and N2 and are the mole fractions of the solvent and solute respectively, then correct relation is: (a) P= PoN1 (b) P= Po N2 (c)P0= N2 (d)

  • Q : Microwave Adsorption The absorption of

    The absorption of microwave radiation increases the rotational energy of molecules and gives information about the moment of inertia of the molecules.Now we can begin the study of the spectroscopy that explores the different ways in which the energy of the