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The difference between adsorption and absorption: Do you know? What is the difference between them?
In science and daily life, adsorption and absorption are two terms that are often confused. Although these two phenomena have similar names, they are fundamentally different. Understanding their differences is very important not only for scientists, but even for our daily lives.
The process of adsorption
Adsorption is the process of attaching atoms, ions, or molecules of a gas, liquid, or dissolved solid to a solid surface. The result of this process is the formation of a thin film called an adsorbate that adheres to a surface called an adsorbent.
The adsorption process is a surface phenomenon, and the adsorbent does not penetrate deeply into the body of the adsorbent. This makes adsorption and absorption in sharp contrast.
The process of absorption
Absorption, as opposed to adsorption, involves the process by which a liquid or solid absorbs another fluid (absorbent). During this process, the absorbent is dissolved or penetrated into the structure of the absorbent, creating a more homogeneous mixture.
In absorption, the fluid enters the interior of the absorbent, causing a change in the capacity of the substance, which does not exist during the adsorption process.
Applications of adsorption and absorption
Adsorption has applications in many natural, physical and biological systems, including water filtration and air purification. Absorption is common in chemical reaction processes, especially in liquid chemical reactions and gas capture. Both of them are widely used in industry, and each has its own special advantages and uses.
Classification of adsorption
The adsorption process can be divided into physical adsorption and chemical adsorption based on different forces. Physical adsorption is due to weak van der Waals forces, while chemisorption involves stronger forms of covalent bonding. Both types of adsorption each have distinct characteristics and advantages in everyday applications.
Characteristics of the adsorption process
The characteristic of adsorption is that it has obvious surface energy. The atoms or molecules on the surface may attract adsorbates from the liquid or gas phase to form different structures. For example, physical adsorption of polymers sometimes results in the formation of raised structures on the surface.
Recent Research and Development
Driven by industry and technology, many new developments have enabled the application of adsorption technology in areas such as environmental protection, energy development and drug delivery. The drug industry's use of adsorption technologies to prolong the effects of drugs in the nervous system is less well known but demonstrates the diversity and utility of adsorption technologies.
Conclusion
The clear difference between adsorption and absorption reveals their importance in a variety of scientific and industrial applications. From basic chemical principles to practical industrial applications, both have their own characteristics and play an indispensable role in our daily lives. Have you ever wondered how these basic principles affect every corner of your life?
