Question

Find the most common example for absorption.

(a) Ammonia and air in solvent water

(b) Ammonia and Carbon dioxide in solvent water

(c) Methane and air in solvent water

(d) Methane and Carbon dioxide in solvent water

The question was posed to me in a job interview.

This intriguing question originated from Gas-Absorption Principle in section Gas Absorption of Mass Transfer

Answer 1

The correct option is (a) Ammonia and air in solvent water

For explanation I would say: Since air won’t dissolve in water the affinity of nitrogen towards the water will be more which converts ammonia into ammonium solution. But in other options, the hydrocarbons easily dissolves in polar solvents.