Chapter 14, Problem 57A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The Tyndall effect should be used to distinguish between a colloid and a solution.

Concept introduction:

Colloid: A colloid is a two-phasic heterogeneous mixture where one phase is dispersed in another phase.

Solution: The solution is a homogeneous mixture of two components in which one of them is the solute and the other is the solvent.

Tyndall effect: Tyndall effect: The Tyndall effect is light scattering properties of dispersed particles in a colloid and sometimes this effect is also observed in a very fine suspension.

Answer to Problem 57A

When a fine beam of light is passed through both a colloid and a solution, the scattering of light is observed in a colloid but not in a solution. This is due to the size of dispersed particles as dispersed particles in a colloid are large enough in size to scatter light.

Explanation of Solution

The Tyndall effect is light scattering properties of dispersed particles in a colloid and sometimes this effect is also observed in a very fine suspension. When a fine beam of light is passed through both a colloid and a solution, the scattering of light is observed in a colloid but not in a solution. This is due to the size of dispersed particles as dispersed particles in a colloid are large enough in size to scatter light. Size of the dispersed particles in a colloid are much larger than those in the solution. That is why colloidal particles scatter light while solution does not.