Hygroscopy
Hygroscopy
Hygroscopy (/haɪˈɡrɒskəpi/; from Ancient Greek: ὑγρός hugros, meaning "wet, moist" and σκοπέω skopeō, meaning "to look at") is the phenomenon of attracting and holding water molecules from the surrounding environment, which is usually at normal or room temperature. This is achieved through either absorption or adsorption with the absorbing or adsorbing substance becoming physically "changed" somewhat. This could be by an increase in volume, boiling point, viscosity or other physical characteristics or properties of the substance, as water molecules can become suspended between the substance's molecules in the process.
Etymology
The word "hygroscopy" comes from the Ancient Greek words ὑγρός hugros, meaning "wet, moist" and σκοπέω skopeō, meaning "to look at". The term was first used in the 17th century to describe the property of substances to absorb water from the air.
Related Terms
- Absorption: In chemistry, absorption is a physical or chemical phenomenon or a process in which atoms, molecules or ions enter some bulk phase - gas, liquid or solid material.
- Adsorption: Adsorption is the adhesion of atoms, ions or molecules from a gas, liquid or dissolved solid to a surface.
- Desiccant: A desiccant is a hygroscopic substance that induces or sustains a state of dryness (desiccation) in its vicinity.
- Deliquescence: Deliquescence is a hygroscopic property of substances that allows them to absorb moisture from the atmosphere until they dissolve in the absorbed water and form a solution.
- Efflorescence: Efflorescence is the migration of a salt to the surface of a porous material, where it forms a coating.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Hygroscopy
- Wikipedia's article - Hygroscopy
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