Imbibíció

Imbibition is a process where a substance absorbs or is absorbed by another. In a more specific scientific context, imbibition refers to the uptake of a liquid by a solid, often a colloidal substance, which causes the solid to swell. This phenomenon is driven by the adhesive forces between the liquid and the solid's surface, as well as the cohesive forces within the liquid itself. The liquid penetrates into the porous structure of the solid.

This process is common in biological systems. For instance, seeds imbibe water before germination, which is a crucial step in the process. The water activates enzymes within the seed, initiating metabolic activity and growth. Similarly, plant cells absorb water through osmosis, which shares some similarities with imbibition. In materials science, imbibition is observed when porous materials like wood or certain ceramics absorb liquids, leading to changes in their physical properties. The rate and extent of imbibition depend on factors such as the porosity of the solid, the surface tension of the liquid, and the temperature. It's a passive process that doesn't require external energy input beyond the liquid itself.