Imbibition refers to which process?

Imbibition refers to which process?

• A. Absorption of water, causing an object to swell
• B. Release of water from a material
• C. A permanent chemical change
• D. A decrease in volume without changing mass

Answer: (A)

Imbibition is the uptake of water by a substance, causing it to swell. When a dry seed or porous material comes into contact with water, water diffuses into the material and binds to its hydrophilic components, increasing both its mass and its size. This is a physical change, not a chemical one, and water is not released in the process. Diminished volume or a chemical change would not describe imbibition, and releasing water would be the opposite of what happens.

Imbibition is the uptake of water by a substance, causing it to swell. When a dry seed or porous material comes into contact with water, water diffuses into the material and binds to its hydrophilic components, increasing both its mass and its size. This is a physical change, not a chemical one, and water is not released in the process. Diminished volume or a chemical change would not describe imbibition, and releasing water would be the opposite of what happens.