Which process describes reactant molecules attaching to the surface of a solid catalyst?

Which process describes reactant molecules attaching to the surface of a solid catalyst?

• A. Adsorption
• B. Activation
• C. Desorption
• D. Reaction

Answer: (A)

Adsorption is the process by which reactant molecules attach to the surface of a solid catalyst. When molecules approach the catalyst, they adhere to active sites on the surface through interactions ranging from weak van der Waals forces to stronger chemical bonds, known as physisorption and chemisorption. This attachment concentrates the reactants at the surface and helps orient them for the next step, effectively lowering the energy barrier to the reaction that will occur on the surface. After the reaction takes place, products typically desorb, freeing up sites for more adsorption. In contrast, activation refers to the energy required to start bond-breaking or bond-forming steps, desorption is the release of adsorbed species from the surface, and the overall chemical change is the surface reaction.

Adsorption is the process by which reactant molecules attach to the surface of a solid catalyst. When molecules approach the catalyst, they adhere to active sites on the surface through interactions ranging from weak van der Waals forces to stronger chemical bonds, known as physisorption and chemisorption. This attachment concentrates the reactants at the surface and helps orient them for the next step, effectively lowering the energy barrier to the reaction that will occur on the surface. After the reaction takes place, products typically desorb, freeing up sites for more adsorption. In contrast, activation refers to the energy required to start bond-breaking or bond-forming steps, desorption is the release of adsorbed species from the surface, and the overall chemical change is the surface reaction.