What is the main difference between physisorption and chemisorption?
Practice Questions
1 question
Q1
What is the main difference between physisorption and chemisorption?
Temperature dependence
Nature of forces involved
Reversibility
All of the above
The main difference lies in the nature of forces involved; physisorption is due to weak van der Waals forces, while chemisorption involves strong chemical bonds.
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
1 item
Q
Q: What is the main difference between physisorption and chemisorption?
Solution: The main difference lies in the nature of forces involved; physisorption is due to weak van der Waals forces, while chemisorption involves strong chemical bonds.
Steps: 4
Step 1: Understand that physisorption and chemisorption are two ways that molecules can attach to a surface.
Step 2: Learn that physisorption happens because of weak forces called van der Waals forces, which are like gentle attractions.
Step 3: Recognize that chemisorption involves strong chemical bonds, which are much stronger than the forces in physisorption.
Step 4: Remember that because of these differences, physisorption is usually reversible, while chemisorption is often not.