adsorption
[ ăd-sôrp′shən ]
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The process by which molecules of a substance, such as a gas or a liquid, collect on the surface of another substance, such as a solid. The molecules are attracted to the surface but do not enter the solid's minute spaces as in absorption. Some drinking water filters consist of carbon cartridges that adsorb contaminants. Compare absorption.
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Words nearby adsorption
adscription, ADSL, adsorb, adsorbate, adsorbent, adsorption, adst. feb., adstratum, adsuki, adsum, ADTS
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
How to use adsorption in a sentence
Cultural definitions for adsorption
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.