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Question:

A particular adsorption process has the following characteristics: (i) It arises due to van der Waals forces and (ii) it is reversible. Identify the correct statement that describes the above adsorption process.

Energy of activation is low

Adsorption increases with increase in temperature

Adsorption is monolayer

Enthalpy of adsorption is greater than 100 kJ mol⁻¹

Solution:

Physical adsorption process (physisorption) has the following characteristics: (i) It arises due to van der Waals forces and (ii) it is reversible. The correct statement that describes the above adsorption process is option A. Energy of activation for physisorption is low. Physisorption is multilayer. It decreases with increase in temperature and the enthalpy of physisorption is low (20-40 kJ/mol).