Question

Which of the following is false regarding adsorption?

• A. "Adsorption is the process where particles are attracted to the surface of another material."
• B. "The adsorbate binds directly to the adsorbent surface."
• C. "Particle size of the adsorbent will not affect the amount of adsorption."
• D. "Adsorption can be physical or chemical."

Hint:

The surface area of the adsorbent is critical; smaller particle sizes increase the surface area and enhance the adsorption capacity.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

The correct answer is: "Particle size of the adsorbent will not affect the amount of adsorption."

Explanation:

• False Statement: The statement that "the particle size of the adsorbent will not affect the amount of adsorption" is false. In fact, the particle size of the adsorbent significantly influences the adsorption process.
• Effect of Particle Size: The smaller the particle size of the adsorbent, the larger the surface area available for adsorption. A greater surface area leads to more adsorption sites, allowing more molecules to adhere to the surface. Therefore, reducing the particle size increases the amount of adsorption.
• Surface Area and Adsorption: Adsorption is a surface phenomenon, meaning the greater the surface area of the adsorbent, the more adsorption can occur. Smaller particles have a higher surface area-to-volume ratio, enhancing their adsorption capacity.

Other factors affecting adsorption:

• Nature of the adsorbent: The chemical properties, such as polarity and surface charge, of the adsorbent will also affect how well molecules are adsorbed.
• Temperature: Temperature can affect the adsorption process; generally, as temperature increases, adsorption decreases for physical adsorption, but can increase in the case of chemisorption.
• Concentration of adsorbate: The higher the concentration of the adsorbate (substance being adsorbed), the greater the amount of adsorption, up to a certain saturation point.

Therefore, the particle size of the adsorbent does affect the amount of adsorption, making the given statement false.