Question

Give reasons for the following observations :

NH₃ gas adsorbs more readily than N₂ gas on the surface of charcoal.

Answer 1

Higher the critical temperature of a gas, more readily it can get adsorbed on the surface of an adsorbent due to stronger van der Waal's forces at this temperature. NH₃ (132 °C) has a higher critical temperature than dinitrogen (−147 °C). Thus, NH₃ gas adsorbs more readily than N₂ gas on the surface of charcoal.