ANS:B - gas phase resistance controlled.

In an interphase mass transfer process, the solubility of a solute in a liquid affects the rate of mass transfer. Specifically, when the solubility of a solute in a liquid is lesser, it generally means that the solute has a lower affinity for the liquid phase. In such cases:

• The mass transfer process is more likely to be gas phase resistance-controlled.

Here's why:

1. Gas Phase Resistance-Controlled: When the solute has low solubility in the liquid phase, it implies that there is less resistance for the solute to transfer from the gas phase to the liquid phase. Therefore, the rate of mass transfer is often limited by the rate at which the solute can transfer through the gas phase boundary layer to reach the liquid phase interface. In this scenario, the mass transfer process is said to be controlled by the resistance offered by the gas phase, as it determines the rate at which solute molecules can reach the liquid phase interface for absorption or dissolution.
2. Non-linear Driving Force: The driving force for mass transfer, which is the difference in concentration between the two phases, may not necessarily be non-linear. However, the driving force does play a role in determining the rate of mass transfer, and it's influenced by factors such as the concentration gradient, diffusivity of the solute, and interfacial area.

In summary, when the solubility of a solute in a liquid is lower, the mass transfer process is more likely to be gas phase resistance-controlled, with the rate of mass transfer limited by the transfer of solute molecules through the gas phase boundary layer to reach the liquid phase interface.