Absorption (chemistry)

Absorption (chemistry) is a physical or chemical phenomenon where atoms, molecules, or ions enter some bulk phase - liquid or solid material. This is a different process from adsorption, since molecules undergoing absorption are taken up by the volume, not by the surface (as in adsorption).

Overview

Absorption, in chemical technology, is a process in which atoms or molecules transfer from a gas phase into a liquid phase. The species absorbed, known as the solute, is the component in one phase absorbed by the other phase. The term absorption is customarily used when processes involve gases being absorbed by liquids.

Mechanism

The mechanism of absorption involves the solute passing from a gas phase into a liquid phase. This process is often used in chemical processes such as the production of synthetic rubber, plastic, and polymers. The solute can be a gas or a liquid, depending on the system and the specific process.

Applications

Absorption has a wide range of applications in many fields of science and engineering. Some of the most common applications include air conditioning, where absorption is used to remove moisture from the air. In environmental science, absorption is used to remove pollutants from the air. In the field of pharmacology, absorption refers to the movement of a drug from the site of administration to the bloodstream.

See also

• Adsorption
• Desorption
• Sorption isotherm
• Partition coefficient
• Absorption spectroscopy