What’s the Difference Between Absorption and Adsorption?

What’s the difference between absorption and adsorption? Is there a difference between absorption and adsorption?
Yes, there is a difference between the two! People, including myself, commonly get the two mixed up or think there is no difference. The words are so close in sound that sometimes no one even knows which whether someone said “absorption” or “adsorption.”
Quick Explanation
Absorption is when one substance enters completely into another. Think of people walking into and sitting down in a car trolley.
Adsorption is when one substance just hangs onto the outside of another. Think of people holding onto a car trolley with one hand and leaning off the side. They’re along for the ride but not inside.
Dorky Chemistry Explanation

Absorption is when one molecule or atom is “sucked” inside of a volume of other molecules. It has to completely enter the other substance, becoming a part of it. This can be a chemical (reaction) or physical (dissolving into a liquid) process.
For example, CO₂ can be absorbed into a solution of potassium carbonate – this is an example of a chemical absorption since a reaction occurs. Another example would be air dissolving into water – this is a physical absorption since the air is simply entering into the water, driven by equilibrium pressure.
Adsorption is when one molecule or at sits on the surface of a substance. For example, this would be like CO₂ sitting on the surface of an adsorbent inside of a pressure swing adsorber unit (look up PSA if you have time! It’s a really cool concept). The CO₂ molecules just sit on the surface of the solid adsorbent.
Check out the image below to help you remember the difference.