Final answer:
Charcoal is utilized in the decolorization process because of its adsorption qualities, effectively removing colors and odors from substances like water and raw sugar due to its high surface area and porous structure.
Step-by-step explanation:
Charcoal is used in the decolorization step because it acts as a powerful adsorbent due to its high surface area and porous structure. Charcoal, particularly activated charcoal, is capable of adsorbing a wide range of substances, including colored organic particulates and inorganic metal ions. Therefore, it is effective in removing undesired colors and odors from various substances, such as drinking water and raw sugar. Treating substances with activated carbon is primarily effective due to adsorption, where chemical species adhere to the surface of the solid, and sometimes absorption, where chemical bonds are formed or substances enter the channels of the solid. This ability to adsorb different materials makes charcoal particularly useful in water purification processes and in the decolorization of industrial products.