Distinguish between the meaning of the terms adsorption and absorption. Give one example of each.

(N/A) Adsorption is a surface phenomenon where molecules of a substance accumulate at the surface rather than in the bulk of a solid or liquid. The substance that gets adsorbed is called the 'adsorbate',and the substance on whose surface the adsorption takes place is called the 'adsorbent'. In adsorption,the concentration of the adsorbate increases only at the surface. For example,when a chalk stick is dipped into an ink solution,only the surface becomes coloured; the inside remains white.
Absorption is a bulk phenomenon where the substance is uniformly distributed throughout the entire bulk of the solid or liquid. For example,when a sponge is dipped in water,the water is absorbed throughout the entire volume of the sponge.