The enthalpy change for the adsorption process and micelle formation respectively are
- (A) and ✓ Correct
- (B) and
- (C) and
- (D) and
Answer: (A)
Solution
Adsorption lowers the residual surface forces when gas or solute molecules settle on a surface, and this release of energy makes the process exothermic, so is negative. Micelle formation, on the other hand, is driven mainly by the large gain in entropy when the ordered water around the hydrophobic tails is set free; the accompanying enthalpy change is small and, for most surfactants near room temperature, slightly positive, so is positive. Hence the adsorption enthalpy is negative while the micellisation enthalpy is positive.
JEE Main · 2023 · 10 Apr 2023 · Shift 1 · Single correct option