Join Telegram Channel: https://t.me/hsslive Downloaded from www.Hsslive.

in ®

SURFACE CHEMISTRY - Previous HSE Questions and Answers

1. The chromatographic separation is possible due to different adsorption tendencies of the solution.
a) Name the adsorption isotherms applicable in this case. (1)
b) Write the equations for the adsorption isotherms. (1)
c) Draw the graphical representation of adsorption isotherm. (1) [March 2008]
Ans: a) Freundlich adsorption isotherm
b) x/m = k.P1/n OR, logx/m = logk + 1/n logP
c)

2. Classify the following into homogenous and heterogeneous catalysis:

a) Catalytic decomposition of ozone by chlorine. (1)
b) Hydrolysis of an organic ester. (1)
c) Haber’s process (1) [Say 2008]
Ans: a) Homogeneous catalysis
b) Homogeneous catalysis
c) Heterogeneous catalysis
3. As2S3 sol particles are negatively charged.
a) What happens when Barium chloride solution is added to the above sol? (½)
b) How do you account for the above process? (½)
c) What is the effect of adding Aluminium Chloride instead of Barium chloride? Justify. (1) [March 2009]
Ans: a) Coagulation or precipitation of the sol occurs.
b) The negatively charged As2S3 sol is neutralized by Ba2+ ion.
c) The coagulation rate increases. This is due to the greater valency of Al 3+ ions [Hardy-Schulze rule].
4. Colloids exhibit some special properties.
a) Name the property of colloid involved in the construction of ultra microscope? ( ½ )
b) Explain the above property (1)
c) What are the conditions to be satisfied to exhibit Tyndall effect? (1½ ) [March 2010]
Ans: a) Tyndall effect
b) It is the scattering of light beam by the colloidal particles.
c) The conditions to be satisfied to exhibit Tyndall effect are:
(i) The diameter of the dispersed particles is not much smaller than the wavelength of the light used.
(ii) The refractive indices of the dispersed phase and the dispersion medium differ greatly in magnitude.
5. In homogenous catalysis, reactants and catalyst are in the same phase. In heterogeneous catalysis,
reactants and catalyst are in different phases.

Surface Chemistry – Prepared by ANIL KUMAR K L, HSST CHEMISTRY, GHSS ASHTAMUDI Page 1
 Join Telegram Channel: https://t.me/hsslive Downloaded from www.Hsslive.in ®
a) Define catalysis (1)
b) Give one example each for homogenous and heterogeneous catalysis? (2) [March 2010]
Ans: a) The process of changing the rate of a chemical reaction by a catalyst is known as catalysis.
b) E.g. for Homogeneous catalysis – Hydrolysis of an ester
E.g. for Heterogeneous catalysis – Haber process for the manufacture of ammonia.
6. Physisorption and chemisorption are two types of adsorption.
a) What is the effect of temperature on physisorption and chemisorption? (1)
b) In certain cases physisorption transfers to chemisorption as temperature is increased. Explain with an
example. (1½ )
c) Explain how colloids get coagulated on addition of salts ? (½ ) [March 2011]
Ans: a) Physisorption decreases and chemisorption increases with increase in temperature.
b) Dihydrogen is physically adsorbed at the surface of Ni by van der Waal’s forces at lower
temperature but as temperature increases, H2 dissociates to form H atoms and are adsorbed
chemically on Ni surface.
c) On the addition of salts, neutralization of charged colloidal particles by the ions of salt occurs and
hence the colloid gets coagulated.
7. Ferric hydroxide sol can be prepared from freshly prepared ferric hydroxide precipitate. It can also be
prepared by adding ferric chloride solution to boiling water. In both cases the sol particles are positively
charged.
a) Name the above two methods for the preparation of ferric hydroxide sol? (1)
b) What happens when an electric potential is applied across two platinum electrodes dipped in ferric
hydroxide sol? (2) [SAY 2011]
Ans: a) First method is Peptisation and the second one is hydrolysis.
b) Ferric hydroxide sol is positively charged and so the sol particles are migrated to the negative
electrode on passing electricity. [Or, electrophoresis occurs]
8. Colloids have many characteristic properties. Among these Tyndall effect is an optical property and
coagulation is the process of settling of colloidal particles.
a) What is Tyndall effect?
b) State Hardy Schulze rule which deals with the coagulation of colloids by the addition of an electrolyte.
c) What is a protective colloid? (1+1+1 = 3) [March 2012]
Ans: a) It is the scattering of light beam by the colloidal particles.
b) The rule states that the greater the valency of the coagulating ion, the greater will be the
coagulating power.
c) Protective colloids are lyophilic sols which are added to lyophobic sol to stabilize it.
9. Colloids are widely used in industry and in daily life.
a) What are colloids? (1)
b) Write any four applications of colloids? (2) [SAY 2012]
Ans: a) Colloid is an intermediate state between true solution and suspension. Or, Colloids are
heterogeneous systems containing two phases – dispersed phase and dispersion medium.
b) Applications of colloids:
i) Alums are used to purify drinking water

Surface Chemistry – Prepared by ANIL KUMAR K L, HSST CHEMISTRY, GHSS ASHTAMUDI Page 2
 Join Telegram Channel: https://t.me/hsslive Downloaded from www.Hsslive.in ®
ii) In tanning of leather
iii) Most of the medicines are in colloidal form
iv) Cleansing action of soap
v) Preparation of photographic films or plates
vi) Coagulation of rubber latex
vii) Electrical precipitation of smoke
viii) Industrial products like paints, inks, synthetic plastics, rubber, graphite lubricants, cement, etc.,
are all colloidal in nature. [Any 4 required]
10. The accumulation of molecular species at the surface rather than in the bulk of a solid or liquid is termed
adsorption.
a) What is adsorption isotherm? (1)
b) Write the mathematical expression of Freundlich adsorption isotherm? (1)
c) Enzymes are known as biochemical catalysts. Write any two important characteristics of enzyme
catalysis? (1) [March 2013]
Ans: a) Adsorption isotherm is a graph or an equation connecting the extent of adsorption and
pressure at constant temperature.
b) x/m = kP1/n
c) The important characteristics of Enzyme catalysis are:
i) Enzyme catalysis is highly specific in nature
ii) Enzyme activity is highly efficient.
iii) Enzyme catalysis is maximum at a particular temperature called optimum temperature.
iv) Enzyme catalysis is maximum at a particular pH called optimum pH. [Any 2 required]
11. There are mainly two types of adsorption of gases on solids.
a) What are the two types of adsorption of gases? (1)
b) Write two characteristics of each of the above two types of adsorption. (2) [SAY 2013]
Ans: a) Physisorption and Chemisorption
b) See the Answer of Qn. No. 13 (b)
12. Sols are colloidal systems in which dispersion medium is liquid and dispersed phase is solid.
a) Write any four differences between lyophilic sols and lyophobic sols. (2)
b) Peptisation is a method of preparation of sols. Write a general procedure for peptisation. (1)
[March 2014]
Ans: a)

Lyophilic sol Lyophobic sol

Force of Strong Weak
attraction
Preparation Can be easily prepared by mixing the dispersed Some special methods are used for the
phase with the dispersion medium preparation
Reversibility Reversible (i.e. they can be easily separated and irreversible
remixed)
Stability Self stabilized Less stable and requires some stabilizing
agent

Surface Chemistry – Prepared by ANIL KUMAR K L, HSST CHEMISTRY, GHSS ASHTAMUDI Page 3
 Join Telegram Channel: https://t.me/hsslive Downloaded from www.Hsslive.in ®
b) In peptisation, a freshly prepared precipitate is converted to a colloidal sol by shaking it with suitable
dispersion medium in the presence of small amount of electrolyte.
13. a) Adsorption has many applications. Write any two applications of adsorption. (1)
b) Physisorption and chemisorption are the two types of adsorption. Write any four differences between
them. (2) [SAY 2014]
Ans: a) Activated charcoal is used in gas masks for adsorbing poisonous gases. Silica gel is used to
adsorb moisture.
b) Differences between physisorption and chemisorption [Any 4 required]

Physisorption Chemisorption
1 Weak van der Waals force Strong chemical bond
2 Not specific in nature Highly specific
3 Reversible Irreversible
4 Easily liquefiable gases (e.g. CO2, HCl, Gases which can react with the
NH3 etc) are easily adsorbed than adsorbent show chemisorption
permanent gases (e.g. H2, N2, O2 etc)
5 Low (20-40 kJ/mol) High (80-240kJ/mol)
6 Low temperature is favourable. It High temperature is favourable. It
decreases with increase in temperature increases with increase in
temperature
7 No appreciable activation energy is High activation energy is required
needed
8 Multimolecular layer of adsorption Only unimolecular layer of adsorption
occurs occurs

14. a) Which of the following is lyophobic colloid?

a) Starch in water ii) Gum in water iii) Soap in water iv) Gold sol (1)
b) Write any four applications of colloids. (2) [March 2015]
Ans: a) Gold sol
b) Refer the answer of Question no. 9 (b)
15. a) Which of the following is an example of adsorption?
i) Water on silica gel ii) Water on CaCl2 iii) H2 on finely divided Nickel iv) O2 on metal surface (1)
b) Write any two differences between absorption and adsorption. (2)
Ans: a) H2 on finely divided Nickel.
b) In adsorption, the substance is concentrated only at the surface while in absorption, the substance is
uniformly distributed throughout the bulk of the solid. So adsorption is a surface phenomenon while
absorption is a bulk phenomenon.
16. Based on the particles of dispersed phase, colloidal systems are classified into multimolecular,
macromolecular and associated colloids.
a) Which of the following is an example for multimolecular colloidal system?
i) Starch in water ii) Soap solution iii) Ferric hydroxide in water iv) Polyvinyl alcohol in water (1)
b) Associated colloids are also known as micelles. How are they formed? (2) [SAY 2015]
Ans: a) Ferric hydroxide in water

Surface Chemistry – Prepared by ANIL KUMAR K L, HSST CHEMISTRY, GHSS ASHTAMUDI Page 4
 Join Telegram Channel: https://t.me/hsslive Downloaded from www.Hsslive.in ®
b) Associated colloids are formed at a particular temperature called critical micelle concentration. At this
concentration, the micelles are associated through van der Waal’s force of attraction. So they get the
colloidal dimension.
17. (i) Catalysis can be classified into two groups - homogeneous and heterogeneous.
a) What do you mean by homogeneous catalysis?
b) Write one example for heterogeneous catalysis. (2)
(ii) Which of the following is an emulsifying agent?
a) Milk b) Butter c) Gum d) Lamp black (1) [March 2016]
Ans: i) a) If the reactants and catalysts are in same phase, it is called homogeneous catalysis. (1)
b) E.g. for heterogenous catalysis is N2(g) + 3 H2(g) Fe(s) 2 NH3(g)
Or, 2 SO2(g) + O2(g) V2O5(s) 2 SO3(g) (1)
ii) Two correct answers – (c) Gum, (d) Lamp black (1)
18. Dispersed phase and dispersion medium are two phases of a colloidal system.
a) Name the colloid in which dispersed phase is liquid and dispersion medium is solid.
(iii) Sol (ii) Foam (iii) Emulsion (iv) Gel (1)
b) Physisorption and chemisorption are two types of adsorption. Write any four differences between
them. (2) [Say 2016]
Ans: a) Gel
b) Refer the answer of Question no. 13 (b)
19. There are mainly two types of adsorption. They are physisorption and chemisorption.
a) Differentiate between physisorption and chemisorption. (2)
b) Write any two applications of adsorption. (1) [March 2017]
Ans: a) Refer the answer of Question no. 13 (b)
(b) Production of high vacuum, in gas masking, control of humidity, purification of cane sugar, in
heterogeneous catalysis, in volumetric analysis etc. (Any 2 application required)
20. a) Which among the following is not an electrical property of colloids?
i) Electrophoresis ii) Electro osmosis iii) Coagulation iv) Tyndall effect (1)
1/n
b) Freundlich adsorption isotherm is x/m = k.p , where n > 1. Answer the following questions based on
Freundlich adsorption isotherm:
i) What is adsorption isotherm? (1)
ii) Explain the terms in the above equation. (1) [SAY 2017]
Ans: a) Tyndall effect
b) i) Adsorption isotherm is a graph or an equation connecting the extent of adsorption and pressure at
constant temperature.
ii) x/m – Extent of adsorption (where x is the mass of the gas adsorbed, m is the mass of the
adsorbent), p is the pressure, k and n are constants.
21. (a) State Hardy-Schulze rule with the help of example.
(b) Why lyophilic colloids are used as protective colloids? [March 2018]
Ans: (a) The rule states that the greater the valency of the coagulating ion, the greater will be the
coagulating power. E.g. for the coagulation of a negative sol like As2S3, the flocculating power of the
coagulating ions is of the order: Al3+ > Ba2+ > Na+

Surface Chemistry – Prepared by ANIL KUMAR K L, HSST CHEMISTRY, GHSS ASHTAMUDI Page 5
 Join Telegram Channel: https://t.me/hsslive Downloaded from www.Hsslive.in ®
Or, for a +ve sol like ferric hydroxide, the flocculating power of the coagulating ions is of the order:
[Fe(CN)6]4- > PO43- > SO42- > Cl – (statement and any one example required)
(b) The lyophilic colloidal particles form a layer around lyophobic particles and thus protect them from
electrolytes.
22. Explain any three chemical methods for the preparation of lyophobic colloids with suitable examples. (3)
[SAY 2018]
Ans: Oxidation: Sulphur sol can be prepared by passing H2S gas through an aqueous solution of sulphur
dioxide.
SO2 + 2H2S Oxidation 3S(sol) + 2H2O
Reduction: Sols of metals like silver, gold and platinum are obtained by the reduction of their salts
with reducing agents like formaldehyde, stannous chloride etc.
2AuCl3 + 3HCHO + 3H2O Reduction 2Au(sol) + 3HCOOH + 6HCl
Hydrolysis: Ferric hydroxide sol is obtained when concentrated solution of ferric chloride is added
drop-wise to hot water.
FeCl3 + 3H2O Hydrolysis Fe(OH)3 (sol) + 3HCl
23. Briefly explain the different types of emulsions and give example for each. (2)
Ans: There are two types of emulsions:

i) Oil in water (O/W) type and

ii) Water in oil (W/O) type
In oil in water type emulsion, oil is the dispersed phase and water is the dispersion medium.
E.g. milk, vanishing cream etc.
In water in oil type emulsion, water is the dispersed phase and oil is the dispersion medium.
E.g. butter cream etc.
24. Explain the terms, zetapotential, electro-phoresis and electro-osmosis. (3) [March 2019]
Ans: Zeta Potential: It is the potential difference between the fixed layer and the diffused layer of an
electrical double layer.
Electrophoresis: It is the movement of colloidal (sol) particles under the influence of an electric field.
Electro-osmosis: It is the movement of particles of dispersion medium under the influence of electric field,
when the movement of the sol particles is prevented by some suitable method.
25. The ion that is more effective for the coagulation of negatively charged As2S3 sol.
(a) Al3+ (b) PO43- (c) SO42- (d) Na+ (1)
3+
Ans: (a) Al
26. Write any two differences of physical adsorption and chemical adsorption? (2)
Ans: Refer the answer of Question no. 13 (b)
27. What is an adsorption isotherm? Describe Freundlich adsorption isotherm. (3) [SAY 2019]
Ans: Adsorption isotherm is a graph or an equation relating the extent of adsorption and pressure at
constant temperature.
Freundlich adsorption isotherm can be expressed by the equation:
x/m = k.P1/n (where n > 1)
where x is the mass of the gas adsorbed, m is the mass of the adsorbent, p is the pressure, k and n are
constants. x/m is called the extent of adsorption.

Surface Chemistry – Prepared by ANIL KUMAR K L, HSST CHEMISTRY, GHSS ASHTAMUDI Page 6
 Join Telegram Channel: https://t.me/hsslive Downloaded from www.Hsslive.in ®
The above relationship can be represented in the form of a graph as follows:

28. Bredig's arc method is used to prepare which of the following sol?
a) Silver sol b) Gelatin sol c) CdS sol d) As2S3 sol (1)
Ans: a) Silver sol
29. The existence of charge on colloidal particles is confirmed by electrophoresis experiment.
a) What is meant by electrophoresis? (1)
3+ 2+ +
b) In the coagulation of a negative sol, the coagulating power is in the order Al > Ba > Na . Name and
state the rule behind this. (2) [March 2020]
Ans: a) Electrophoresis is the movement of colloidal particles (sol particles) under the influence of an
electric field.
b) Hardy – Schulze rule. The rule states that the greater the valency of the coagulating ion, the greater
will be the coagulating power.

#####################################################################################

Surface Chemistry – Prepared by ANIL KUMAR K L, HSST CHEMISTRY, GHSS ASHTAMUDI Page 7