Thursday, September 16, 2010

absorption and adsorption

Let us learn about absorption and adsorption

Adsorption is referred as the process of attraction of atoms or molecules from an adjacent gas or liquid to an exposed solid surface. Such attraction forces support the molecules into layers onto the existent surface.

Absorption generally refers to 2 phenomena which are largely unrelated. In 1 case, it refers to when molecules, atoms, or ions enter some bulk phase - gas, liquid or solid material. For instance, a sponge absorbs water when ever it is dry.

Absorption defined as the process by which the energy of a photon is taken up by another entity, best example, by an atom whose valence electrons make transition between 2 electronic energy levels. The photon is destroyed in the method. The absorbed energy can be re-emitted as radiant energy or transformed into heat energy. The absorption of light during wave propagation is often known as attenuation. The tools of spectroscopy in chemistry are sourced on the absorption of photons by molecules & atoms.

Adsorption is similar, but refers to a surface rather than a volume: adsorption is a process which occur when a gas or liquid solute accumulates on the surface of a solid or, more rarely, a liquid, forming a molecular or atomic film. Adsorption is different from absorption, in that a substance diffuses into a liquid or solid to form a solution.


In our next blog we shall learn about lithium extraction I hope the above explanation was useful.Keep reading and leave your comments.


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