Adsorption facts for kids
Adsorption is when tiny bits of stuff, like atoms or molecules, stick to a surface. Think of it like a magnet pulling tiny metal pieces. The surface they stick to is called an "adsorbent."
These tiny bits can come from a gas, a liquid, or even a solid that has dissolved in a liquid. A simple example is how water sticks to sand on a beach. It also happens when water sticks to tiny bits of soil.
How Adsorption Works
The way these particles stick depends on the surface and the particles themselves. It's usually a gentle pull, like a weak physical force. Sometimes, it's like a weak chemical bond. But these forces are strong enough to hold a layer of molecules onto the surface.
If you add more heat, these bonds usually break. This makes the stuck molecules float away, like water evaporating. Only water that isn't stuck inside solid particles can evaporate easily.
Images for kids
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Two nitrogen molecules sticking onto a tungsten surface. This can happen randomly or near other stuck molecules.
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Activated carbon is a material often used because it's great at adsorbing things.
See also
In Spanish: Adsorción para niños
