Which term describes the movement of a chemical through the material of a protective clothing at the molecular level?

Which term describes the movement of a chemical through the material of a protective clothing at the molecular level?

• A. Penetrations
• B. Permeation
• C. Diffusion
• D. Adsorption

Answer: (B)

Permeation is the movement of a chemical through a protective fabric at the molecular level. It starts when the chemical sorbs into the outer surface, then diffuses through the material, and finally desorbs on the inner surface. This describes the overall transport through the material, not just a single mechanism. Diffusion is part of permeation, the process of molecules spreading within the material due to concentration differences, but on its own it doesn’t specify movement through the entire thickness of the fabric. Penetration would involve a breach or pathway, like a hole or seam, allowing passage, which is not what happens at the molecular level through intact material. Adsorption is the sticking of molecules to a surface, which is related but only part of the initial step and does not describe movement through the material. So the term that best describes movement through the material itself is permeation.

Permeation is the movement of a chemical through a protective fabric at the molecular level. It starts when the chemical sorbs into the outer surface, then diffuses through the material, and finally desorbs on the inner surface. This describes the overall transport through the material, not just a single mechanism.

Diffusion is part of permeation, the process of molecules spreading within the material due to concentration differences, but on its own it doesn’t specify movement through the entire thickness of the fabric. Penetration would involve a breach or pathway, like a hole or seam, allowing passage, which is not what happens at the molecular level through intact material. Adsorption is the sticking of molecules to a surface, which is related but only part of the initial step and does not describe movement through the material. So the term that best describes movement through the material itself is permeation.