--%>

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 : Determining Mole fraction of water Can

    Can someone please help me in getting through this problem. The mole fraction of water in 20% aqueous solution of H2O2 is: (a) 77/68 (b) 68/77 (c) 20/80  (d) 80/20

  • Q : Molar solution of sulphuric acid Choose

    Choose the right answer from following. The molar solution of sulphuric acid is equal to: (a) N solution (b) 2Nsolution (c) N/2solution (d) 3Nsolution

  • Q : BASIC CHARACTER OF AMINES IN GAS PHASE,

    IN GAS PHASE, BASICITIES OF THE AMINES IS JUST OPPOSITE TO BASICITY OF AMINES IN AQEUOUS PHASE .. EXPLAIN

  • Q : What is electrolytic dissociation? The

    The Debye Huckel theory shows how the potential energy of an ion in solution depends on the ionic strength of the solution.Except at infinite dilution, electrostatic interaction between ions alters the properties of the solution from those excepted from th

  • Q : Problem based on normality Choose the

    Choose the right answer from following. NaClO solution reacts with H2SO3 as,. NaClO + H2SO3→NaCl+ H2SO4. A solution of NaClO utilized in the above reaction contained 15g of NaClO per litre. The

  • Q : Negative deviation Which one of the

    Which one of the following non-ideal solutions shows the negative deviation: (a) CH3COCH3 + CS2   (b) C6H6 + CH3COCH3   (c) CCl4 + CHCl3  

  • Q : Hydrocarbons list and identify

    list and identify differences between the major classes of hydrocarbons

  • Q : Raoults law Give me answer of this

    Give me answer of this question. Provide solution of this question. Which one of the following is the expression of Raoult's law: (a) P-P1/P = n/n+N (b) P1-P/P = N/ N+n (c)P-P2/P1= N/ N-n (d) P1-P/P2= N-n/N

  • Q : Problem based on molarity Select the

    Select the right answer of the question. If 18 gm of glucose (C6H12O6) is present in 1000 gm of an aqueous solution of glucose, it is said to be: (a)1 molal (b)1.1 molal (c)0.5 molal (d)0.1 molal

  • Q : Adiabatic compression A lean natural

    A lean natural gas is available at 18oC and 65 bars and must be compressed for economical pipeline transportation. The gas is first adiabatically compressed to 200 bars and then isobarically (i.e. at constant pressure) cooled to 25°C. The gas, which is