Sorption facts for kids

When two different substances meet, they can interact in a special way. This interaction can happen when one substance spreads *into* another, or when it sticks *onto the surface* of another.

In 1909, a scientist named James William McBain came up with the word Sorption. He used it to describe situations where it's hard to tell if a substance is soaking *into* something (which is called absorption) or just sticking *onto its surface* (which is called adsorption). Sorption is a general term for both these processes.

What is Sorption?

Sorption is a process where one substance collects on or in another. Think of it like a magnet attracting metal, but instead of magnetism, it's about how molecules stick together.

How Substances Interact

When substances interact, they can be in different forms, like a gas, a liquid, or a solid. They might also have a clear boundary between them, called an interface.

• If a substance spreads *inside* another, like a sponge soaking up water, that's absorption.
• If a substance sticks *only on the surface* of another, like dust settling on a table, that's adsorption.

Sorption is the umbrella term for both these actions when they happen together or are hard to tell apart.

Why is Sorption Important?

Sorption plays a big role in many areas, especially when we talk about keeping our environment clean.

Cleaning Up Pollution

Sorption helps us understand and fight pollution. For example, tiny harmful particles, called pollutants, can stick to small bits in the air. These tiny bits in the air are known as aerosols. Sorption makes it possible for pollutants to bind to these aerosols. In the same way, pollutants in the soil can stick to very small particles called colloids. This binding helps us understand how pollutants move around. Sometimes, because of sorption, pollutants can even travel long distances in the air or water.

Everyday Uses of Sorption

Sorption isn't just for cleaning up pollution; it's also used in cool machines and processes.

• The absorption refrigerator uses sorption to cool things down without needing a lot of electricity.
• Solar air conditioning systems also use sorption to provide cooling, often powered by the sun.

These examples show how understanding sorption helps us create useful technologies and protect our planet.

See also

In Spanish: Sorción para niños