ANS:B - adsorption

The ion exchange process is most similar to adsorption. Explanation:

• Adsorption is a process where molecules or ions from a fluid adhere to the surface of a solid material. In ion exchange, ions in a solution are adsorbed onto the surface of a solid material, replacing ions of similar charge that were originally attached to the solid.
• In the ion exchange process, the ions in the solution are exchanged for ions of similar charge that are already present on the solid material, hence the name "ion exchange".
• While absorption involves the transfer of a substance into the bulk of another substance, and extraction involves the selective dissolution of one or more components into a solvent, ion exchange specifically involves the exchange of ions between a solution and a solid phase.
• Leaching involves the extraction of soluble materials from a solid by percolating a solvent through it. While leaching and ion exchange both involve the removal of ions from a solid, they operate on different principles: leaching involves dissolution of the ions from the solid matrix, while ion exchange involves the exchange of ions on the surface of a solid material.
• Therefore, the ion exchange process is most similar to adsorption, as it involves the transfer of ions between a solution and a solid material's surface.