Question

Which of the following can absorb large volumes of hydrogen gas?
A. Finely divided platinum
B. Colloidal solution of palladium
C. Small pieces of palladium
D. A single metal surface of platinum

Answer 1

We have to know that absorption is bulky phenomenon and adsorption is a surface phenomenon. The physical condition of the substance affects the rate of absorption. We can have to identify the entity that contains larger surface area, so it absorbs a larger volume of hydrogen gas.

Complete step by step answer:
We saw that a bulky phenomenon is absorption and surface phenomenon is adsorption.
One of three kinds of mixtures is a colloid. A colloid has particles, which are in the range of 1 and 1000 nanometers. They are also called colloidal dispersion as the particles remain dispersed and do not settle at the solution’s bottom.
We have to know that in colloids, one substance is dispersed evenly in matter, the substance being dispersed is called a dispersed phase, and the medium in which it is dispersed is caked as a dispersion medium.
Generally, the surface areas are larger for colloids at given volume and they exhibit excellent adsorption. An excellent absorbed hydrogen gas is palladium. Therefore, colloidal solutions of palladium could adsorb greater volume of hydrogen gas as the surface area of palladium is the most colloidal solution of palladium. If the surface area of the catalyst is more, the volume of hydrogen adsorbed would be larger.

So, the correct answer is Option B.

Note: When we see a colloidal solution under an ultra-microscope, the colloidal particles can be seen constantly moving in a zigzag path. Colloidal particles found in a colloidal solution exhibit an important property called the Brownian movement.