Adsorption is a phenomenon of surface attraction, which causes molecules of one substance...
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Adsorption is a phenomenon of surface attraction, which causes molecules of one substance to adhere to the surface of another. What is this surface attraction force called?
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Answer: A. Adhesion
Adsorption is the process where molecules of a gas or liquid adhere to the surface of a solid or liquid. This specific attraction between molecules of different substances is defined as adhesion.
Step-by-step Derivation:
Step 1: Define the terms provided in the options.
- Cohesion: The attraction between molecules of the same substance (e.g., water molecule to water molecule).
- Adhesion: The attraction between molecules of different substances (e.g., gas molecule to a solid surface).
- Attraction: A general term for any force that pulls objects together, not specific to surface phenomena.
- Affinity: A chemical term describing the tendency of a chemical species to form a compound with another.
Step 2: Analyze the definition of adsorption. Adsorption occurs when a substance (the adsorbate) accumulates on the surface of another substance (the adsorbent).
Step 3: Since adsorption involves the interaction between two different phases/substances, the force responsible for this surface attachment is the adhesive force (adhesion).
Step 4: Conclude that Option A is the technically correct term for the surface attraction force in adsorption.