Question

$(x/m)\; = \;L{P}^{\dfrac{1}{n}}$
What ‘m’ represents in the given equation ?

Answer 1

Hint: The Freundlich adsorption isotherm, is an empirical relation between the concentration of a solute on the surface of an adsorbent to the concentration of the solute in the liquid with which it is in contact.

Complete answer:
Given,$(x/m)\; = \;L{P}^{\dfrac{1}{n}}$ which is the equation of Freundlich Adsorption Isotherm.
From the concept of Freundlich Adsorption Isotherm , it can be said that in the equation $(x/m)\; = \;L{P}^{\dfrac{1}{n}}$,
x represents the mass of the adsorbate , whereas m represents the mass of the adsorbent .
Thus , the required answer for the given question is that m in the equation $(x/m)\; = \;L{P}^{\dfrac{1}{n}}$ represents mass of the adsorbent during the process of adsorption.

Additional Information: The extent of adsorption is usually expressed as $\dfrac{x}{m}$ where x is the mass of adsorbate and m is the mass of the adsorbent. The extent of adsorption $\dfrac{x}{m}$ increases with pressure and becomes maximum corresponding to pressure ${p_s}$ called equilibrium pressure . Since adsorption is a reversible process, the desorption also takes place simultaneously. At this pressure (${p_s}$) the amount of gas adsorbed becomes equal to the amount of gas desorbed so that the extent of adsorption becomes constant even though the pressure is increased . This state is also called saturation state and ${p_s}$ is called saturation pressure.

Note: The Freundlich adsorption isotherm fails at higher pressure. This is because the extent of gas adsorption varies with pressure directly. After a particular temperature, the rate of adsorption saturates in spite of applying higher pressure.