9/4/2019 Difference Between Absorption and Adsorption (with Comparison Chart) - Bio Differences

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Di erence Between Absorption and Adsorption

March 13, 2018 By Rachna C — 1 Comment

Absorption is the process which takes place, when one substance enters the
volume or bulk of another substance, while adsorption is the condition which
occurs on the surface of the substrate. In the case of adsorption, there are the
intermolecular forces, which make the molecules to hold each other, but in
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9/4/2019 Difference Between Absorption and Adsorption (with Comparison Chart) - Bio Differences

absorption, there is soaking of the liquid or gas by the solid rather any forces
applied on molecules.

Here we noticed that there is the common term used in both the words is the
‘sorption‘, which describes the action performed by the absorption and
adsorption. Though both are the vital process occurring in the day to day life, as
well in chemical and biological labs.

Very slight though the significant difference between both the process will be
considered in this content, along with a brief description.

Content: Absorption Vs Adsorption

1. Comparison Chart
2. Definition
3. Key Differences
4. Conclusion

Comparison Chart

BASIS FOR
ABSORPTION ADSORPTION
COMPARISON

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9/4/2019 Difference Between Absorption and Adsorption (with Comparison Chart) - Bio Differences

BASIS FOR
ABSORPTION ADSORPTION
COMPARISON

Meaning The condition in which any In this condition the

substance (atoms, ions or
molecules) is taken by or
absorbed by another
substance, especially in the
solid or liquid material.
substances like gas, liquids or
dissolved solids loosely
adhere or stick to the surface
of another substance which
can be solid or liquid.

Kind of Bulk phenomenon Surface phenomenon

phenomenon

Reaction Rate The reaction occurs at the The reaction rate increases
uniform rate. slowly and attains
equilibrium.

Heat exchange Endothermic process. Exothermic process.

process

Concentration Does not change is constant The concentration changes

throughout the medium. from bulk to the bottom of
the absorbent.

Temperature No effect of temperature. Adsorption works at the lower

temperature.

Application Cold storage, ice production, Air conditioning, water

turbine inlet cooling, purification, synthetic resin,
refrigerants. chillers.

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Claro video es un servicio proporcionado por un tercero.

Términos y condiciones en telmex.com/terminoshogar

De nition of Absorption
As discussed above absorption is the bulk process which means that the
substance or absorbate like any ion, molecule or compound diffuse completely into
another medium or substance which can be solid, liquid or gas.

Here the absorbing material (absorbate) remain intact in another substance

(absorbent) due to the presence of space within the substance but do not have any
chemical relation with each other. Once the substance or absorbent get absorbed
into another substance, it cannot be separated easily. Commercially they are used
in the cooling system, cold storage, refrigerants.

De nition of Adsorption
Adsorption is the surface phenomenon, in this condition, there is the accumulation
of the substance (adsorbate) like solid, liquid or gas on the surface of another
substance (adsorbent) which can be solid or liquid.

In this, the substance or absorbate are loosely held with the absorbent and
classified as physisorption and chemisorption. In physisorption, the molecules
or the interactions between the substances is of weak van der Waals forces, while in
chemisorption it is through the covalent bond.

It is applicable in action of drugs and poisons, in the formation of enzyme-

substrate complex, in the biochemical technique, water purification, air-
conditioning.

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9/4/2019 Difference Between Absorption and Adsorption (with Comparison Chart) - Bio Differences

Key Di erences Between Absorption and

Adsorption
Following are the points which distinguish Absorption from that of
Adsorption:

1. Absorption can be defined as the condition in which any substance

(atoms, ions or molecules) is taken by or absorbed in bulk by another
substance which can be solid or liquid material, controversially
adsorption is the surface phenomenon where the substances like
substances like gas, liquids or dissolved solids loosely adhere or stick
to the surface of another substance which can be solid or liquid.

2. In absorption the reaction rate is uniform and is an endothermic

process, while in case of adsorption the reaction rate is steady and
attains equilibrium, it is an exothermic process.

3. The concentration of the absorbed substance does not change in fact

remains constant throughout the medium, but in adsorption, the
concentration of the adsorbed substance changes from bulk to the
bottom of the absorbent.

4. Absorption does not affect temperature, but adsorption works at the

lower temperature.

5. Cold storage, ice production, turbine inlet cooling, refrigerants are the
area where absorption is applied, while air conditioning, water
purification, synthetic resin, chillers are the area of applications of
adsorption.

Conclusion
Absorption and adsorption are the kinds of homophones, but their meaning and
application differ and so cannot be substituted in each other context.

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9/4/2019 Difference Between Absorption and Adsorption (with Comparison Chart) - Bio Differences

Claro video es un servicio proporcionado por un tercero.

Términos y condiciones en telmex.com/terminoshogar

You Might Also Like:

1. Difference Between Osmosis and Diffusion
2. Difference Between Solute and Solvent
3. Difference Between Physical and Chemical Change
4. Difference Between Endothermic and Exothermic Reactions
5. Difference Between Active and Passive Transport

Filed Under: Biochemistry

Comments

Daphne Gilpin says

August 21, 2019 at 3:26 pm

It was helpful to me when you explained that adsorption includes the

accumulation of the substance on the surface of the adsorbent. I’ve been
wanting to learn more about adsorption because we’re considering
investing in an air gas liquid drying system at my workplace. Your article
was interesting to me because you explained adsorption in a way that was
easy for me to understand!

Reply

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