Question

Explain the following:

Easily liquefiable gases are absorbed on solid surfaces more readily as compared to difficultly liquefiable gases.

Answer 1

1. Physical adsorption depends on van der Waals’ forces between gas molecules and the solid surface.
2. Easily liquefiable gases have higher intermolecular forces and lower critical temperatures.
3. These gases are more easily attracted to the surface due to their greater polarizability.
4. Difficultly liquefiable gases like hydrogen or helium have weak intermolecular forces and low polarizability.

Hence, easily liquefiable gases are adsorbed more readily on solid surfaces than those that are difficult to liquefy.