Lesson plan
desorption
Desorption is the physical process where adsorbed atoms or molecules are released from a surface into the surrounding vacuum or fluid. This occurs when a molecule gains enough energy to overcome the activation barrier and the binding energy that keep it attached to the surface. Desorption is the reverse of the process of adsorption, which differs from absorption in that adsorption refers to substances bound to the surface, rather than being absorbed into the bulk. Desorption can occur from any of several processes, or a combination of them: it may result from heat (thermal energy); incident light such as infrared, visible, or ultraviolet photons; or an incident beam of energetic particles such as electrons. It may also occur following chemical reactions such as oxidation or reduction in an electrochemical cell or after a chemical reaction of adsorbed compounds in which the surface may act as a catalyst.
Article summary
Desorption is the physical process where adsorbed atoms or molecules are released from a surface into the surrounding vacuum or fluid. This occurs when a molecule gains enough energy to overcome the activation barrier and the binding energy that keep it attached to the surface. Desorption is the reverse of the process of adsorption, which differs from absorption in that adsorption refers to substances bound to the surface, rather than being absorbed into the bulk. Desorption can occur from any of several processes, or a combination of them: it may result from heat (thermal energy); incident light such as infrared, visible, or ultraviolet photons; or an incident beam of energetic particles such as electrons. It may also occur following chemical reactions such as oxidation or reduction in an electrochemical cell or after a chemical reaction of adsorbed compounds in which the surface may act as a catalyst.
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Discussion questions
- Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
- Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
- If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?
Bibliography
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Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.