Please explain imbibition...

Dear student

The phenomena of adsorption of water by the solid particles on its surface without forming solution is called imbibition. 

Imbibition is the phenomenon of adsorption of water or any liquid by the solid particles of a substance without forming a solution. Solid substances or adsorbents which take part in imbibition are called imbibants,e.g.,seeds,dry wood. Breaking of the seed coat in germinating seeds is due to greater imbibitional swelling of the seed kernel (starch and protein) as compared to seed coverings (cellulose). Seedling is able to come out of soil due to development of imbibition pressure. Jamming of wooden frames during rains is caused by swelling of wood due to imbibition. In older times, the imbibition pressure was used in breaking the rocks and stones. Dry wooden stakes, if driven into a small crack inn a rock and then soaked, can develop enough pressure to split the rock. During imbibition, the water molecules get tightly adsorbed and become immobilised. The imbibate is held in between and over the surface of particles of the solid substance through the process of capillarity and adsorption.

Regards

  • 0
What are you looking for?