ANSWER KEY EXPT # 2: THE COLLOIDAL STATE

1. Which substance is a Colloid based on the results of the activity? Two dialysis tubes were
submerged in water.           A: Ferric Hydroxide                         B: Potassium Chromate
Explain your answer. Ferric Hydroxide is the one that is colloid. The color of the water where the
substance was submerged remained colorless, it’s just indicates that the particles of Fe(OH) 3 did
not pass through the cellophane .
2. Can the components of a colloid be separated by dialysis process?  Yes, the solute of a colloid
remains at the dialyzing membrane, selectively allowing the passage of small –sized particles
only.
3. Can a colloid be separated by the use of a filter paper? No, Fe (OH)3 passed thru the filter paper.
The colloidal particles are smaller than the openings of the filter paper. Colloids can’t be
separated by the use of filter paper.
4. What did you observe when water was added with oil then shaken vigorously? The two liquid
substances did not mix together, they are immiscible; oil formed tiny droplets and suspended in
water. It formed a temporary emulsion – it separates.
5. What kind of mixture when the combination of water and oil was added with soap solution? 10
ml H2O + coco oil + soap solution = it formed a permanent emulsion 🡪 homogenous in
appearance ; not clear.
6. What is the role of soap solution in the oil-water mixture? Soap acts as an emulsifying agent.
7. Which electrolyte did not produce precipitates when it was added with As 2S3?
2 ml of As2S3 + .1 N NaCl = no coagulation
8. Which electrolyte produced most precipitates when added with AS 2S3? ml of As2S3 + 0.1 CrCl3 =
1 drop to coagulate – green ppt
9. Explain the difference in the effect of the various electrolytes. One property of Colloids is that
they carry electrical charge. They adsorb ions present in the dispersing medium. Depending on
the colloid, particles attract either (+) or (–) ions, not both.
1. (+) (-) 🡪 precipitation occurs
2. NaCl – is a strong electrolyte – they repel
10. What did you observe when Fe(OH )3 was added with AS2S3? 2 ml As2S3 + Fe (OH)3 =
precipitates formed
11.  What happened when the mixture of Fe(OH )3  and  AS2S3 was added with the gel? 2 ml As2S3 +
gel + Fe (OH)3 = no precipitates
Explain the function of the gel in the above procedure? Gel coats the other colloid, preventing the
attraction of each. Function of gel is a Protective colloid.