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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Adsorption is the accumulation of molecules of a gas or liquid on the surface of a solid or liquid. This process is driven by adhesion, which is the attractive force between unlike molecules, whereas cohesion is the force between like molecules.
Step-by-step Derivation:
Step 1: Define the terms provided in the options.
- Adhesion: The attraction between molecules of different substances.
- Cohesion: The attraction between molecules of the same substance.
- Attraction: A general term for any force that pulls objects together.
- Affinity: A chemical term describing the tendency of a substance to combine with another.
Step 2: Analyze the process of adsorption. Adsorption occurs when a substance (the adsorbate) adheres to the surface of another substance (the adsorbent). Since the adsorbate and adsorbent are different substances, the force responsible for this surface attachment is the force between unlike molecules.
Step 3: Match the definition. The force between unlike molecules is specifically defined as 'Adhesion'. Therefore, the surface attraction force causing adsorption is adhesion.