Question

In the adsorption of oxalic acid on activated charcoal, the activated charcoal is called
A. Adsorber
B. Absorber
C. Adsorbent
D. Adsorbate

Answer 1

Hint: In the process of absorbance gas or liquid commonly called as adsorbate adsorbs in solid called as adsorbent. Charcoal is a solid and oxalic acid is a liquid. The adsorption of oxalic acid on activated charcoal follows the Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption theorem.

Complete Step by Step Solution:
In the process of adsorption the species which get adsorbed is called adsorbate and the adsorption medium is called as adsorbent.
Thus if for the adsorption of oxalic acid on activated charcoal the acetic acid is an adsorbate and charcoal is an adsorbent.
Thus the correct option is C.

Additional Information: By changing the type of adsorbate and adsorbent we can get different types of colloidal systems. Such colloidal systems are as follows:
- The colloidal system consisting of a liquid adsorbent in a solid adsorbate is termed as gel.
- Here dispersion of liquid takes place in solid substances. Example of gel is cold cream.
- The suspension of liquid or solid particles in gas is called aerosol. The examples of aerosol are fog, mist etc.
- The dispersion of one liquid in another liquid is called emulsion. Here the two liquids must be immiscible. The examples of emulsion are egg yolk, butter.
- The dispersion of gas in solid or liquid is called foam. Examples of foam are soap bubbles and whipped cream.

Note: Charcoal is an allotrope of carbon. It is obtained from the burning of wood, bones or cellulose with little or insufficient air.It acts as absorbent. Oxalic acid is a weak acid used in many organic synthesis as liquid. It is very effective in removing rust and ink stains because of its capability to convert the most insoluble iron compounds into a soluble complex ion.