Engineering
Chemistry
Adsorption
Question

The correct statement(s) pertaining to the adsorption of a gas on a solid surface is (are)

Chemisorption is more exothermic than physisorption, however it is very slow due to higher energy of activation

Physisorption may transform into chemisorption at high temperature

Physisorption increases with increasing temperature but chemisorption decreases with increasing temperature

Adsorption is always exothermic

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Solution

Adsorption is the adhesion of gas molecules to a solid surface. It is always exothermic (ΔH<0) because the gas loses freedom, decreasing entropy (ΔS<0), and for spontaneity (ΔG<0), ΔH must be negative. Physisorption (weak van der Waals forces) decreases with temperature (exothermic), while chemisorption (strong chemical bonds) first increases (needs activation energy) then decreases. Chemisorption is more exothermic and slower due to a high activation energy barrier. At high temperatures, physisorbed molecules can gain energy to overcome this barrier and form a chemisorbed layer.

Final Answer: All the given statements are correct.