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Which of the following is a correct characteristic of colloidal solutions?
They are homogeneous mixtures.
The particle size is larger than in a true solution but smaller than in a suspension.
The particles settle down upon keeping the solution undisturbed.
They cannot scatter a beam of light passing through them.
The particle size is larger than in a true solution but smaller than in a suspension.
Colloidal solutions are heterogeneous mixtures where the particle size ranges between 1 nm and 1000 nm, placing them intermediate between true solutions and suspensions. They exhibit stability and do not settle down under gravity, unlike suspensions.
Colloidal solutions are heterogeneous mixtures where the particle size ranges between 1 nm and 1000 nm, placing them intermediate between true solutions and suspensions. They exhibit stability and do not settle down under gravity, unlike suspensions.
Think of milk; it looks like a uniform liquid (like a solution) but contains tiny fat globules (particles) that scatter light, proving it is actually a colloid.
1┬аnm<particle┬аsize<1000┬аnm тАФ range for colloidal particles
The stability of colloids arises from Brownian motion and the presence of electrical charges on particles, which prevent aggregation. The particles are large enough to reflect or scatter light, a phenomenon known as the Tyndall effect.
Colloids are heterogeneous in nature despite appearing homogeneous to the naked eye.
Colloids exhibit the Tyndall effect due to light scattering.
Colloidal particles carry a charge and show Brownian motion.
Colloidal particles cannot be separated by ordinary filtration.
Used in medicine (e.g., colloidal gold) for targeted drug delivery.
Used in sewage disposal via electrophoresis.
Tendency to coagulate if electrolytes are added.
Difficult to separate into pure components.
Formation of clouds and fog.
Purification of blood by dialysis.
| Feature | True Solution | Colloid |
|---|---|---|
Particle Size | < 1 nm | 1-1000 nm |
Option A is wrong because colloids are heterogeneous mixtures.
Option C is wrong because colloids are stable and do not settle.
Option D is wrong because colloids scatter light (Tyndall effect).
B is correct тАФ Colloidal solutions consist of particles with sizes ranging from 1 nm to 1000 nm, making them intermediate between the small particles of true solutions and the large particles of suspensions.
Always remember the order of particle size: True┬аSolution<Colloid<Suspension. This is a favorite theme for classification-based questions in competitive exams.