Adsorb Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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adsorb
[รฆdหzษrb ]
Definition
scientific process
Adsorb refers to the process by which atoms, ions or molecules from a gas, liquid, or dissolved solid adhere to the surface of a solid or liquid. This phenomenon involves a concentration of these substances at the interface between the two phases. Adsorption is different from absorption, where a substance penetrates the bulk phase. The process is commonly used in various applications, including water purification, catalyst preparation, and in separation processes.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- Activated carbon is often used to adsorb impurities from water.
- The scientists studied how pollutants adsorb onto soil particles.
- In this experiment, we will adsorb the dye on filter paper.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Science
- Adsorption is crucial in processes like water purification, where contaminants stick to carbon filters.
- In chemistry, this process is different from absorption; the latter involves one substance permeating another, like a sponge soaking up water.
Technology
- In nanotechnology, materials can be engineered at the molecular level to maximize their adsorptive properties for more efficient products.
- Adsorption technology plays a role in developing sensors that detect gases by how they adhere to the sensorโs surface.
Environmental Science
- Adsorption helps in reducing pollutants in the air; activated carbon adsorbs harmful gases from the atmosphere.
- Natural processes like soil filtering rely on adsorption to trap contaminants, helping to keep ecosystems clean.
Everyday Life
- Household products like adhesives and glues often utilize principles of adsorption to bond surfaces together.
- Adsorptive materials can be found in everyday items like sponges and paper towels, which hold onto moisture effectively.
Origin of 'adsorb'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Latin 'ad-' meaning 'to' and 'sorb' from 'sorbere' meaning 'to suck up'.
- The term began being used in scientific contexts in the late 19th century to describe surface interactions.
The term 'adsorb' was coined in the late 19th century and is derived from the prefix 'ad-', meaning 'to' or 'toward', and the word 'sorb', which comes from the Latin 'sorbere' meaning 'to suck up'. The distinction between adsorption and absorption became essential in physical chemistry to describe these two different processes effectively. Adsorption characterizes how molecules adhere to surfaces, playing a critical role in technologies like catalysis, filtration, and environmental remediation. Over the years, the term has been widely adopted across scientific disciplines including chemistry, materials science, and biology as researchers sought to understand surface interactions and the behavior of substances at the molecular level.