--%>

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 : Partial vapour pressure of volatile

    Choose the right answer from following. For a solution of volatile liquids the partial vapour pressure of each component in solution is directly proportional to: (a) Molarity (b) Mole fraction (c) Molality (d) Normality

  • Q : Effect of addition of mercuric iodide

    Give me answer of this question. When mercuric iodide is added to the aqueous solution of potassium iodide, the:(a) Freezing point is raised (b) Freezing point is lowered (c) Freezing point does not change (d) Boiling point does not change

  • Q : Explain Second Order Rate Equations.

    Integration of the second order rate equations also produces convenient expressions for dealing with concentration time results.A reaction is classified as second order if the rate of the reaction is proportional to the square of the concentration of one o

  • 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

  • Q : Calculation of concentration of the

    Choose the right answer from following. 200ml of a solution contains 5.85 dissolved sodium chloride. The concentration of the solution will be(Na= 23: cl = 35.5 ) (a) 1 molar (b) 2 molar (c) 0.5 molar (d) 0.25 molar

  • Q : What do you mean by the term dipole

    What do you mean by the term dipole moment? Briefly describe it.

  • Q : Explain the process of adsorption of

    The extent of adsorption of a gas on a solid adsorbent is affected by the following factors: 1. Nature of the gas Since physical adsorption is non-specific in nature, every gas will get adsorbed on the

  • Q : Vapour pressure of volatile substance

    Provide solution of this question. According to Raoult's law the relative lowering of vapour pressure of a solution of volatile substance is equal to: (a) Mole fraction of the solvent (b) Mole fraction of the solute (c) Weight percentage of a solute (d) Weight perc

  • Q : Film Mass Transport Sulfur trioxide

    Sulfur trioxide (SO3) is manufactured by the gas-phase oxidation of SO2 over a platinum catalyst: SO2 + ½ O2 à SO3 The catalyst is a non-porous ext

  • Q : Concentration of an aqueous solution

    Give me answer of this question. The concentration of an aqueous solution of 0.01M CH3OH solution is very nearly equal to which of the following : (a) 0.01%CH3OH (b) 0.1%CH3OH (c) xCH3OH= 0.01 (d) 0.99MH2O (