Explain how to phenomenon of adsorption finds application in the following processes: (i) Production of vacuum

(i) Production of Vacuum: Adsorption can be successfully applied to create conditions of high vacuum. For this a bulb of charcoal cooled in liquid air, is connected to vessel which has already been exhausted as far as possible by vacuum pump. The remaining traces of air inspite of low pressure are adsorbed by the charcoal almost completely.

(ii) Heterogeneous Catalysis: There are many gaseous reactions of industrial importance involving solid catalyst. Manufacture of ammonia using iron as a catalyst, manufacture of H₂SO₄ by contact process using V₂O₅ catalyst and use of finely divided nickel in the hydrogenation of vegetable oils are the excellent examples. The gaseous reactants are adsorbed on the surface of the solid catalyst. As a result, the concentration of the reactants increases on the surface of the catalyst and hence the rate of reaction increases.