SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY

Ba yo m b o n g , Nu e va Vizc a ya , P h ilip p in e s
SCHO O L O F HEALTH AND NATURAL SCIENCES
CENTER FOR N ATURAL SCIENCES

Name: Course & Year: Score:

Instructor: Group No: Date of Activity:

Activity 3
COLLOIDS AND THEIR PROPERTIES

Colloids are systems that consist of two phases, the continuous phase (dispersion
medium) and the discontinuous phase (dispersed phase). Colloidal systems contain
particles larger than solute particles of a true solution. Hence it may appear homogeneous
to the naked eyed but examination of a colloid under the microscope will show particle
movement called Brownian movement. When subjected to a beam of light in a darkened
room, colloids show Tyndall effect. Milk is an example of a liquid colloidal system. It
contains casein (the protein in milk) which contains negative charges on the particle
surface. These charges prevent the particles from coalescing. When acetic acid is added to
milk, the H+ released by the acid neutralizes the negative charges on the particle surface,
causing the particles to aggregate and form a curd.

An appreciation of the different properties of colloids helps in understanding the

chemistry of proteins, food, enzymes, medicines, and fats. Colloids play an important role in
digestion, metabolism and almost all phases of physiological processes.

OBJECTIVES
1. To determine the properties of colloids; and
2. To describe the function of colloids in physiological systems.

MATERIALS
0.1 M CuSO4 0.04 M AgNO3
10% skim milk mixture 0.01 M AgNO3
3 M HAc 1% gelatin
0.2 M K2Cr2O7 5 test tubes
0.02 M K2Cr2O7 dialysis

PROCEDURES

1. Prepare the following mixtures indicated below, using three test tubes.

Tube CuSO4 Skim Milk 3 M Hac

1 4 mL
2 4 mL
3 4 mL 1 mL

In which tube/s is/are there evidence of curd-formation?

Observations:

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1.2 Filter the contents of each tube separately.

Which particles are large enough to be retained by the filter paper?
 SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY
Ba yo m b o n g , Nu e va Vizc a ya , P h ilip p in e s
SCHO O L O F HEALTH AND NATURAL SCIENCES
CENTER FOR N ATURAL SCIENCES

Observations:

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2. Effect of Buffers
Transfer the filtrates from test tubes 1 and 2 into separate dialysis bags. Tie off the
bags and rinse well with water. Set up in separate beakers of deionized water. Stand
for about 1 hour. Observe if the solute particles will pass through. Passage of copper
ions can be detected by the presence of a blue color outside the dialysis bag, passage
of skim milk particles can be detected by turbidity outside the dialysis bag. Hold test
tubes 1 and 2 against the light and compare the appearance of CuSO 4 and the skim
milk solutions. Explain the difference in appearance.

Observations:
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3. Formation of a protective colloid. Mix 10 drops of 0.2 M K2Cr2O7, 4 mL distilled
water, and 10 drops of 0.04 M AgNO3 in a test tube. Set aside for 30 minutes.

Observations:

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4. In another test tube, mix 10 drops of 0.02 M K2Cr2O7, 1 mL of gelatin solution, and
shake well. Add 10 drops of 0.01 M AgNO3, and set aside for 30 minutes.
Observations:

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5. What is the role of gelatin in this experiment? Define emulsifying agent.

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 SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY
Ba yo m b o n g , Nu e va Vizc a ya , P h ilip p in e s
SCHO O L O F HEALTH AND NATURAL SCIENCES
CENTER FOR N ATURAL SCIENCES

QUESTIONS
1. What is Brownian movement?
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2. What is Tyndall effect?

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3. What is a protective colloid?

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GENERALIZATION:

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