Wood Destroying Organism (WDO) Home Inspection Practice Exam

The process by which chemicals are held or bound to a surface by physical or chemical attraction is known as __________.

1. Adsorption

2. Desorption

3. Absorption

4. Adhesion

The correct answer is: Adsorption

The process referred to in the question is known as adsorption. This phenomenon occurs when molecules from a gas or liquid adhere to the surface of a solid or liquid, forming a film. Adsorption involves physical or chemical attraction, meaning the molecules accumulate on the surface rather than being absorbed into the material's bulk. In this context, understanding the distinction between terms is crucial. For instance, desorption is the reverse process where adsorbed molecules are released from a surface back into the surrounding environment. Absorption, on the other hand, describes a process where a substance permeates or integrates into another, such as a sponge soaking up water, rather than merely adhering to a surface. Adhesion refers to the force of attraction between different substances, typically preventing separation but not specifically describing the retention of molecules at a surface. Thus, adsorption uniquely captures the essence of how substances bind to surfaces through attraction, making it the correct term to describe this process.