Deliquescent vs. Hygroscopic

Main Difference

The main difference between Deliquescent, and Hygroscopic is that Deliquescent materials produce an aqueous solution through the absorption of water vapor, whereas Hygroscopic materials do not provide an aqueous solution, but they usually absorb water vapor.

Deliquescent vs. Hygroscopic — Is There a Difference?
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Difference Between Deliquescent and Hygroscopic

Deliquescent vs. Hygroscopic

Desiccants are known as the other name of deliquescent substances; on the other hand, humectants are known as the second name for hygroscopic.

Deliquescent vs. Hygroscopic

Deliquescent substances contain a very high affinity for water; in contrast, a very less amount of affinity is contained by hygroscopic substances.

Deliquescent vs. Hygroscopic

In deliquescent materials, a solution is formed through the absorption of water; at the same time, in hygroscopic materials, a solution is not formed, but they absorb water vapor.

Deliquescent vs. Hygroscopic

Deliquescent substances can absorb a high amount of water vapor; on the contrary, the water may be absorbed or adsorbed by hygroscopic substances.

Deliquescent vs. Hygroscopic

The deliquescent substances are referred to as solids which absorb water from the surrounding environment and forms a liquid solution. On the flip side, the hygroscopic substances are referred to as solids that absorb or adsorb water and form a clump.

Deliquescentadjective

Seeming to melt away.

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Hygroscopicadjective

Readily taking up and retaining water, especially from the atmosphere.

Deliquescentadjective

(chemistry) Absorbing moisture from the air and forming a solution.

deliquescent salts

Hygroscopicadjective

absorbing moisture (as from the air)

Deliquescentadjective

(botany) Branching so that the stem is lost in branches, as in most deciduous trees.

Deliquescentadjective

Becoming liquid as a phase of its life cycle.

Deliquescentadjective

(especially of certain salts) becoming liquid by absorbing moisture from the air

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Comparison Chart

DeliquescentHygroscopic
The process in which a material absorbs water from the surrounding water until it completely absorbs water and produces a liquid solution is known as deliquescent.The process in which the substance absorbs water from its surrounding environment and absorb enough to clomp together is known as hygroscopic.
Considered As
They are considered as solids that mostly absorb moistness from the surrounding until they dissolve completely in the absorbed water and produce the solution.They are considered as solids that mainly adsorb or absorb water from its surrounding environment.
Water Vapor Absorption
Normally it absorbs relatively a high amount of water vapor.The water is either adsorb or absorb.
Other Names
Also known as desiccants.Also known as humectants.
Affinity for Water
It contains a relatively very high attraction towards the water.It includes a little affinity towards water.
Formation of a Solution
Thorugh the absorption of water vapor, it produces an aqueous solution.A solution is not created, but they absorb water vapor.
Examples
The examples are magnesium chloride, potassium hydroxide, iron chloride, sodium hydroxide, phosphorus oxide, and calcium chlorideThe illustrations are copper oxide, sodium trioxonitrate, and quick lime (CaO)

Deliquescent vs. Hygroscopic

Deliquescent substances are considered as solids that mostly absorb moistness from the surrounding until they dissolve completely in the absorbed water and produce the solution. On the other hand, the hygroscopic is considered as solids that mainly adsorb or absorb water from its surrounding environment.

Deliquescent materials usually absorb a relatively high amount of water vapor. In contrast, the water is either adsorb or absorb by hygroscopic substances. Deliquescent substances are also known as desiccants; on the contrary, the hygroscopic materials are also known as humectants.

The deliquescent materials contain a relatively very high attraction towards the water; at the same time, the hygroscopic materials contain a little affinity towards water. Thorugh the absorption of water vapor, the deliquescent substances produce an aqueous solution; on the contrary, a solution is not produced by hygroscopic substances, but they absorb water vapor.

The examples of deliquescent substances are magnesium chloride, potassium hydroxide, iron chloride, sodium hydroxide, phosphorus oxide, and calcium chloride, while on its flip side, the cases of hygroscopic substances are copper oxide, sodium trioxonitrate, and quick lime (CaO).

What is Deliquescent?

The solid matter which can easily get liquefied through absorbing the water vapor, which in the result is the production of an aqueous solution, is known as the process of deliquescence. The deliquescent substances consist of a very high affinity towards water.

Depending on the location of the place and the time of day, the atmosphere contains about 0-4% of water vapor. However, there are present many other gases and vapors also present in the atmosphere; the water vapor consists of pressure known as partial pressure. The examples of deliquescent substances are magnesium chloride, potassium hydroxide, iron chloride, sodium hydroxide, phosphorus oxide, and calcium chloride.

What is Hygroscopic?

The solids which absorb moisture from the surrounding environment but would not produce a solution is known as hygroscopic substance, and they consume enough to form a clamp. The process of Hygroscopy usually results in the change of physical features of the hygroscopic materials, which includes boiling, color, viscosity, point, etc.

Salts are the most common examples of hygroscopic substances. There are present some other hygroscopic compounds as well, which include silica gel, germinating seeds, honey, etc. Examples of hygroscopic materials are copper oxide, sodium trioxonitrate, zinc chloride, sodium chloride, quick lime (CaO), and sodium hydroxide.

Conclusion

The above discussion concludes that the deliquescent materials produce the liquid solution through the absorption of water; in contrast, the hygroscopic materials absorb the water from its surrounding environment and consume enough to clomp together.