Colloids

Tyndall effect
Light is scattered by particles suspended in water Use the Tyndall effect to differentiate between a true solution and a suspension
True solution - a homogeneous mixture
ions and molecules are too small to scatter visible light

Suspension - particles are suspended in water

the particles are too large to be dissolved, and so are large enough to scatter light.

Colloids
Colloid
aka a colloidal dispersion tiny particles are suspended in some medium
the particles are single large molecules or the particles are groups of molecules or ions from 1 to 1000 nm.

Colloids
Type of colloid depends on the medium and the dispersed phase

Colloids
Examples fog, aerosol sprays smoke whipped cream mayonnaise paint marshmallow butter ruby glass Dispersing Medium gas gas liquid liquid liquid solid solid solid Dispersed Substance liquid solid gas liquid solid gas liquid solid Colloid Type aerosol aerosol foam emulsion sol solid foam solid emulsion solid sol

Colloid What stabilizes a colloid?

Electrostatic repulsion
A colloid is neutral BUT, when a colloid is placed in an electric field, the particles all migrate to the same electrode. The colloid attracts ions of the same charge which surround the colloid particle. Ions of the opposite charge surround the first layer of ions. Being surrounded by ion, the colloid particles repel other colloid particles, and so are unable to aggregate to precipitate out

Colloids To destroy a colloid (coagulation)

heat the colloid
heating increases velocities of particles particles can collide with enough energy to knock off the ion barriers, thus allowing the colloid particles to aggregate and precipitate out.

Colloids To destroy a colloid (coagulation)

add an electrolyte
the electrolyte will neutralize the ion layers Ex: deposition of clay where a river reaches the ocean. The high salt content of the seawater causes the suspension of clay particles to coagulate.