Answer: Chemisorption involves actual bond formation, which releases more energy than weak van der Waals attraction.
- A Chemisorption is said to occur mainly at very low temperatures, which releases extra heat in the majority of cases studied
- B Chemisorption involves actual bond formation, which releases more energy than weak van der Waals attraction
- C Physisorption is claimed to involve stronger covalent bonding than chemisorption does as widely reported
- D Enthalpy values reported for chemisorption are generally measured incorrectly in practice in standard practice
Correct answer: B. Chemisorption involves actual bond formation, which releases more energy than weak van der Waals attraction
Explanation: Because chemisorption forms genuine chemical bonds between adsorbate and adsorbent, it releases substantially more energy than the weak van der Waals interactions of physisorption.
A typical adsorption isotherm: x/m (mass adsorbed per gram of adsorbent) rises steeply at low pressure, then flattens into a saturation plateau as the adsorbent surface fills up.
Concept context
Explore the chemistry that happens at interfaces, from catalysts that speed up industrial reactions to colloids like milk, smoke, and gels that surround us every day.