A new set of rate equations for gas desorption has been derived from the laws of thermodynamics and motion and the kinetic theory of gases. The equations assume that gas desorption or absorption originally represents an isothermal change at the interface, similarly to condensation or vaporization. The mass transfer in gas desorption or absorption is initially caused by external work being done on the system and takes place as work done by the system which instantly develops a concentration gradient, increases in internal energy and temperature, and a deviation from the ideal gas behaviour inside MTZ in the process of mass transfer. After cessation of external work, these conditions disappear following the transfer of a small residual mass at a constant velocity and a decrease in internal energy inside the MTZ.