Chemistry · Equilibria involving physical processes: Solid-liquid, liquid-gas, gas-gas and solid-gas equilibria, Henry's law, General characteristics of equilibrium involving physical processes

Physical adsorption of a gaseous species may change to chemical adsorption with:

Physical adsorption of a gaseous species may change to chemical adsorption with:

  • A. decrease in temperature
  • B. increase in temperature
  • C. increase in surface area of adsorbent
  • D. decrease in surface area of adsorbent

Step-by-step solution

Physical adsorption involves weak van der Waals forces and is exothermic; increasing temperature generally decreases physical adsorption. Chemical adsorption involves chemical bond formation and often requires activation energy, so increasing the temperature provides the necessary energy to overcome the activation barrier, facilitating the transition from physical to chemical adsorption.
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