Question

A poisonous gas is adsorbed at activated charcoal. The activated charcoal is:
A. Absorber
B. Adsorbate
C. Adsorbent
D. Absorbate

Answer 1

Hint: The adsorption of one chemical on the surface of another chemical is called adsorption. It is a physical phenomenon. Means they won’t react chemically they are together physically. There is no chemical change in the adsorption process.

Complete step by step solution:
- In the question it is given that a poisonous gas is adsorbed on the surface of the activated charcoal.
- Activated charcoal means, the charcoal is heated at high temperature or treated with chemicals to increase the power of adsorption.
- The accumulation of one chemical on the surface of another chemical is called adsorption.
- The chemical which is going to adsorb on the surface of other chemicals is called adsorbate.
- The substance on which the adsorption process occurs is called adsorbent.
- In the given questions on the activated charcoal poisonous gas is adsorbed.
- Means activated charcoal acts as an adsorbent and poisonous gas acts as an adsorbate.
- Therefore activated charcoal acts as an adsorbent.

So, the correct option is C.

Note: Adsorption is a physical phenomenon (surface phenomenon). The adsorbate comes and occupies the place which is available on the surface of adsorbent. If the chemical deeply penetrates into the other chemical then the process is called absorption. Generally activated charcoal is used to treat waste water to remove the impurities present in the water. The impurities adsorbs on the surface of the activated charcoal.