The term 'sorption' stands for ……… .

Options

A. absorption
B. adsorption
C. both absorption and adsorption
D. desorption

Answer

To solve the question regarding the term 'sorption', we can break it down into the following steps:

### Step 1: Understand the term 'sorption'
- Sorption is a general term that encompasses two specific processes: absorption and adsorption.

### Step 2: Define absorption
- Absorption refers to the process where one substance is taken up into the volume of another substance. For example, when water is absorbed by a sponge, the water permeates the sponge material.

### Step 3: Define adsorption
- Adsorption, on the other hand, is the process where molecules adhere to the surface of a solid or liquid. An example of this is when dye molecules stick to the surface of activated charcoal.

### Step 4: Combine the definitions
- Since sorption includes both absorption (the uptake of substances into the bulk) and adsorption (the adherence of substances to a surface), it can be defined as the overall process that includes both phenomena.

### Step 5: Identify the correct answer
- Given the options provided, the term 'sorption' stands for both absorption and adsorption. Therefore, the correct answer is option C: both absorption and adsorption.

### Final Answer
The term 'sorption' stands for both absorption and adsorption.

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