Question
Define the terms imbibition imbibant, imbibate and imbibition pressure.
Solution
Imbibition : It is the process by which colloidal soild particles absorb water and swell without being dissolved.
Imbibant : It is the solid substance which absorbs water and swells up.
Imbibate : It is the liquid or water which is imbibed by the imbibant.
Imbibition pressure : The imbibant, after imbibition of water or liquid, exerts the pressure which is called imbibition pressure. The germinating seeds have imbibition pressure of about 1000 atmospheres.
