5.1Distinguish between the meaning of the terms adsorption and absorption. Give one example of each.
Step 1:
Adsorption is a surface phenomenon of the accumulation of molecules of a substance at the surface rather than in the bulk of a solid or liquid. The substance that gets adsorbed is called the ‘adsorbate’ and the substance on whose surface the adsorption takes place is called the ‘adsorbent’.
Step 2:
Absorption is a chemical or physical phenomenon in which the molecules, atoms, and ions of the substance getting absorbed enter into the bulk phase (gas, liquid or solid) of the material in which it is taken up. Absorption is the condition in which something gets mixed or absorbed completely in another substance.
Step 3:
For example, when we dip a chalk stick into an ink solution, only its surface becomes colored. If we break the chalk stick, it will be found to be white from the inside.
Soaking up spilled milk with a paper towel is an example of absorption.
