Physisorption is a type of adsorption that involves the physical attachment of molecules to the surface of a solid or liquid. This process does not involve the formation of chemical bonds; instead, the interaction is primarily due to van der Waals forces, which are weak intermolecular forces. Physisorption typically occurs at lower temperatures and results in a reversible attachment, meaning that the adsorbed molecules can easily desorb from the surface.
In contrast, chemisorption involves the formation of chemical bonds between the adsorbate and the surface, resulting in a much stronger interaction. Chemisorption is usually specific to certain molecules and can lead to the formation of stable, irreversible bonds. This type of adsorption occurs at higher temperatures and often requires activation energy to break the molecular bonds of the adsorbate.
In summary, while both physisorption and chemisorption are important in various applications, such as catalysis and surface chemistry, the key difference lies in the nature of the interaction: physisorption relies on weak van der Waals forces, while chemisorption involves the formation of chemical bonds.