Have you ever wondered why some materials absorb liquids while others absorb? This is an important distinction to understand in order to appropriately use certain materials for specific purposes and projects.

In this blog post, we’ll explore what is absorption and adsorption, and the differences between absorption and adsorption, By the end of this post, you’ll be able to differentiate between absorption and adsorption with ease!

What is Absorption?

When a substance is absorbed, it is taken in by another substance. For example, when you drink a glass of water, the water is absorbed by your body. When a gas is dissolved in a liquid, the gas is also absorbed by the liquid.

In contrast, when a substance is adsorbed, it is attached to the surface of another substance. For example, when you put a drop of food coloring in a glass of water, the food coloring molecules attach to the surface of the water molecules.

What is Adsorption?

Adsorption is the adhesion of atoms, ions, or molecules from a gas, liquid, or dissolved solid to a surface. This process creates a film of the adsorbate on the surface of the adsorbent. It differs from absorption, in which a fluid is dissolved by or permeates a solvent.

The Difference Between Absorption and Adsorption

When it comes to understanding the difference between absorption and adsorption, it is important to first understand what each process is.

Absorption is defined as the process of taking in or soaking up something, while adsorption is defined as the adhesion of molecules of one substance to the surface of another. 

With that being said, the main difference between absorption and adsorption is that absorption is a process that occurs on a molecular level, while adsorption is a process that occurs on a physical level.

In terms of how these processes work, absorption occurs when a liquid or gas penetrates into or permeates another substance. This can be thought of as the liquid or gas being absorbed by the other substance. 

Adsorption, on the other hand, occurs when molecules of one substance attach to the surface of another substance. This can be thought of as the molecules being adsorbed onto the surface of the other substance.

Now that we have a basic understanding of what each process is and how they work, let’s take a look at some examples to better illustrate the difference between absorption and adsorption. 

Perhaps one of the most common examples of absorption is when we drink water; as we drink, water passes through our digestive system and is absorbed by our cells.

An example of absorption would be if we were to put a sponge in water; over time, the sponge will become saturated with water as it absorbs the liquid.

Conclusion

In conclusion, absorption and adsorption are two distinct processes that have different applications. 

While both processes involve the movement of molecules from one phase to another, absorption occurs when a substance is dissolved in a liquid or gas while adsorption occurs when particles bind to surfaces. 

Understanding the differences between these two processes can help you make better decisions about which process is best for your needs.

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