Difference Between Absorption and Adsorption

Absorption is the process which takes place, when one substance enters the volume or bulk of another substance, while adsorption is the condition which occurs on the surface of the substrate. In the case of adsorption, there are the intermolecular forces, which make the molecules to hold each other, but in absorption, there is soaking of the liquid or gas by the solid rather any forces applied on molecules.

Here we noticed that there is the common term used in both the words is the ‘sorption‘, which describes the action performed by the absorption and adsorption. Though both are the vital process occurring in the day to day life, as well in chemical and biological labs.

Very slight though the significant difference between both the process will be considered in this content, along with a brief description.

Content: Absorption Vs Adsorption

1. Comparison Chart
2. Definition
3. Key Differences
4. Conclusion

Comparison Chart

Basis for Comparison	Absorption	Adsorption
Meaning	The condition in which any substance (atoms, ions or molecules) is taken by or absorbed by another substance, especially in the solid or liquid material.	In this condition the substances like gas, liquids or dissolved solids loosely adhere or stick to the surface of another substance which can be solid or liquid.
Kind of phenomenon	Bulk phenomenon	Surface phenomenon
Reaction Rate	The reaction occurs at the uniform rate.	The reaction rate increases slowly and attains equilibrium.
Heat exchange process	Endothermic process.	Exothermic process.
Concentration	Does not change is constant throughout the medium.	The concentration changes from bulk to the bottom of the absorbent.
Temperature	No effect of temperature.	Adsorption works at the lower temperature.
Application	Cold storage, ice production, turbine inlet cooling, refrigerants.	Air conditioning, water purification, synthetic resin, chillers.

Definition of Absorption

As discussed above absorption is the bulk process which means that the substance or absorbate like any ion, molecule or compound diffuse completely into another medium or substance which can be solid, liquid or gas.

Here the absorbing material (absorbate) remain intact in another substance (absorbent) due to the presence of space within the substance but do not have any chemical relation with each other. Once the substance or absorbent get absorbed into another substance, it cannot be separated easily. Commercially they are used in the cooling system, cold storage, refrigerants.

Definition of Adsorption

Adsorption is the surface phenomenon, in this condition, there is the accumulation of the substance (adsorbate) like solid, liquid or gas on the surface of another substance (adsorbent) which can be solid or liquid.

In this, the substance or absorbate are loosely held with the absorbent and classified as physisorption and chemisorption. In physisorption, the molecules or the interactions between the substances is of weak van der Waals forces, while in chemisorption it is through the covalent bond.

It is applicable in action of drugs and poisons, in the formation of enzyme-substrate complex, in the biochemical technique, water purification, air-conditioning.

Conclusion

Absorption and adsorption are the kinds of homophones, but their meaning and application differ and so cannot be substituted in each other context.