Adsorption

&
Colloids
Adsorption:
What is adsorption?

The phenomenon of accumulation of higher concentration of one

substance on the surface of another than in the bulk is called adsorption.
 Define: (i) Adsorbent & (ii) Adsorbate (iii) Desorption
Adsorbent:
The substance on the surface of which adsorption takes place is called
adsorbent.
Adsorbate:
The substance which get adsorbed on the surface of adsorbent is called
adsorbate.
Adsorbate
Adsorbent
Desorption:
The process of removal of an adsorbed substance from the surface on
which it is adsorbed is called desorption.
 Adsorption Absorption
Distinguish Between Adsorption & Absorption
1. It is a surface phenomenon. 1. It is a bulk phenomenon.
2. Concentration of the adsorbate is 2. Concentration of the absorbate is
high only at the surface of the uniform throughout the bulk of the
adsorbent. absorbent.
3. It is dependent on temperature 3. It is independent of temperature
and pressure. and pressure.
4. It is accompanied by evolution of 4. It is not accompanied by
heat known as heat of adsorption. evolution or absorption of heat.
5. It depends on surface area. 5. It is independent of surface area.
6. e.g. Adsorption of a gas or liquid 6. e.g. Absorption of water by
like acetic acid by activated cotton. Absorption of ink by
charcoal blotting paper.
 Dip a chalk in ink.
What do you observe ? Define: Sorption

When, both adsorption and absorption occur simultaneously it is

known as sorption.
Van der Waal’s Force/London forces :
 The weakest intermolecular force that develops due to interaction
between two nonpolar molecules are called Van der Waal’s forces.
 In general, all atoms and molecules experience London dispersion
forces, which result from the motion of electrons.
 At any given instant of time, the electron distribution in an atom may
be asymmetrical, giving the atom a short lived dipole moment. This
momentary dipole on one atom can affect the electron distribution in
the neighbouring atoms and induce momentary dipoles in them. As a
result, weak attractive force develops.
 Types of Adsorption
1. Physical Adsorption:
When the adsorbate such as gas molecules are accumulated at the
surface of a solid on account of weak van der Waals forces, the
adsorption is termed as physical adsorption or physisorption.

2. Chemical Adsorption:
When the gas molecules accumulate on the surface of a solid or
adsorbent by means of chemical bonds, be it covalent or ionic, the
adsorption is called chemical adsorption (or chemisorption).
 Physisorption Chemisorption
1. The forces operating are weak van der 1. The forces operating are covalent or
Waals forces. ionic bonds.
2. Not specific in nature. 2. Highly specific and occurs only when
All gases adsorb on all solids. chemical bond formation is possible
e.g. All gases adsorb on charcoal. between adsorbent and adsorbate.
e.g. adsorption of oxygen on tungsten,
hydrogen on nickel, etc.
3. The heat of adsorption is low and lies 3. Higher heat of adsorption and lies in
in the range 20 – 40 kJ mol-1 the range 40 - 200 kJ mol-1
4. Occurs at low temperature and 4. Favoured at high temperature.
decreases with an increase of The extent of chemical adsorption is
temperature. lowered at very high temperature, due to
bond breaking.
 Physisorption Chemisorption
5. For example: at low temperature N2 5. For example N2 gas chemically
gas is physically adsorbed on iron. adsorbed on iron at high temperature
forms a layer of iron nitride, which
desorbs at very high temperature.
6. Reversible. 6. Irreversible.
7. Physisorbed layer may be 7. Chemisorption forms
multimolecular layer, of adsorbed monomolecular layer of adsorbed
particles under high pressure. particles.
8. It is relatively weak. 8. It is relatively strong.
9. Rate of adsorption increases with 9. Rate of adsorption usually decreases
increase in pressure of adsorbate. as the pressure increases.
 Q. Explain the Factors affecting adsorption of gases on solids.
Factors affecting adsorption of gases on solids:
1. Nature of adsorbate (gas):
Gases having high critical temperature liquefy easily and can readily be
adsorbed. Gas Critical Volume
Decreasing order of temperature/K adsorbed/cm3
Critical Temperature: N2 126 08
SO2 > Cl2 > NH3 > HCl > N2
HCl 324 72
Decreasing order of Volume
of gas adsorbed: NH 3 406 181
SO2 > Cl2 > NH3 > HCl > N2 Cl2 417 235
SO 430 380
2
Factors affecting adsorption of gases on solids:
2. Nature of adsorbent:
(i) Substances which provide large surface area for a given mass are
effective as adsorbents and adsorb appreciable volumes of gases.
(ii) Silica gel, charcoal are effective adsorbents due to their porous nature

3. Surface area of adsorbent:

(i) Adsorption is a surface phenomenon.
(ii) Hence, the extent of adsorption increases with increase in surface
area of adsorbent.
(iii)Finely divided substances, rough surfaces, colloidal substances are
good adsorbents as they provide larger surface area for a given mass.
Factors affecting adsorption of gases on solids:
4. Temperature: 195 K
𝑥
(i) Adsorption is an exothermic process. 𝑚
(ii) According to Le-Chatelier’s 244 K
principle, it is favoured at low
temperature.
(iii)Thus, the amount of gas adsorbed is 273 K
inversely proportional to
temperature.
(iv)Figure shows plots of volume of N2 P
adsorbed per unit mass of adsorbent
against the pressure of a gas at
different temperatures.
Factors affecting adsorption of gases on solids:
5. Pressure of gas :
𝑥
(i) At any temperature, the extent of gas 𝑚
adsorbed increases with an increase
of pressure.
(ii) The extent of adsorption is directly
proportional to pressure of the gas.
(iii)At high pressures extent of
adsorption becomes independent of
the pressure. P
(iv)The surface of adsorbent is, then,
almost fully covered by adsorbed
gaseous molecules.
1. In the adsorption of acetic acid on activated charcoal,
the acetic acid is an
(a) Adsorber (b) Absorber
(c) Adsorbent (d) Adsorbate
Solution:
The substance on the surface of which adsorption takes place is
called adsorbent.
The substance which get adsorbed on the surface of adsorbent is
called adsorbate.

Ans. (d) Adsorbate

2. In Physical adsorption, the gas molecules are held on
solid surface by
(a) Chemical forces (b) Electrostatic forces
(c) Gravitational forces (d) Van der Waal’s forces

Ans. (d) Van der Waal’s forces

3. When temperature is lowered and pressure is raised, the
adsorption of a gas on a solid
(a) decrease (b) increases
(c) remains unaffected (d) decreases first & then
increases
Solution:
(i) Adsorption is an exothermic process.
(ii) According to Le-Chatelier’s principle, it is favoured at
low temperature.
(iii) The extent of adsorption is directly proportional to
pressure of the gas.
Ans. (b) increases
4. Which of the following statements is incorrect regarding
physisorption? (AIEEE 2009)
(a) It occurs because of Van der Waal’s forces
(b) More easily liquefiable gases are adsorbed readily
(c) Under high pressure it results into multi-molecular
layer on adsorbent surface
(d) Ethalpy of adsorption (Hadsorption) is low & +ve
Solution:
Adsorption is an exothermic process.
Hence, Hadsorption is always negative.
Ans. (d)
5. Which of the following statements is not applicable to
chemisorption?
(a) It is slow (b) It is irreversible
(c) It is highly specific (d) It is independent of
temperature
Solution:
(i) It is Favoured at high temperature.
(ii) But, the extent of chemical adsorption is lowered at very
high temperature, due to bond breaking.
Ans. (d) It is independent of temperature.
6. Which of the following statements is not a characteristic
of chemisorption? (AIEEE 2003)
(a) H is of the order of 200 kJ
(b) Adsorption is irreversible
(c) Adsorption may be multimolecular layer
(d) Adsorption is specific
Solution:
Chemisorption forms monomolecular layer of adsorbed
particles.
Ans. (c)
7. Animal charcoal is used in decolorizing colour of liquids
because it is a good ……… (MH CET 2004)
(a) Adsorbate (b) Adsorbent
(c) Oxidizing agent (d) Reducing agent
Solution:
Animal charcoal is good adsorbent.
Ans. (b) Adsorbent
8. The most adsorbed gas on a activated charcoal is
(a) N2 (b) H2 (c) CO2 (d) CH4
Solution:
Gases having high critical temperature liquefy easily and can
readily be adsorbed.
This is because Van der Waal’s forces are stronger at near
critical temperature. Gas Critical
temperature/K
Ans. (c) CO2
H2 33
N2 126
CH4 190
CO 304
9. Methylene blue, from its aqueous solution, is adsorbed
on activated charcoal at 25C. For this process, the correct
statement is [JEE (advanced) 2013] (a) Adsorption
requires activation at 25C
(b) The adsorption is accompanied by a decrease in
enthalpy.
(c) The adsorption increases with increase of
temperature
(d) The adsorption is irreversible
Solution: Adsorption of Methylene blue on activated charcoal
is physisorption it is accompanied by a decrease in enthalpy.
Ans. (b)
10. During the adsorption of Krypton on activated charcoal
at low temperature, ……….
(a) H > 0 & S < 0 (b) H < 0 & S < 0
(c) H > 0 & S > 0 (d) H < 0 & S > 0 Solution:
Adsorption is an exothermic process. H is negative.
During adsorption entropy of system also decreases.
S is negative.

Ans. (b) H < 0 & S < 0

Freundlich adsorption isotherm:

Where, weight of gas adsorbed

weight of adsorbent
Rate of adsorption
pressure of gas
& constant [
Freundlich adsorption isotherm:
𝑥
𝑚
𝑥
(i) At low pressure, the extent of 𝑚
∝ 𝑝0

adsorption varies linearly with

𝑥
pressure. 𝑚
∝𝑝
1 /𝑛

(ii) At moderate pressure, the

extent of adsorption varies with 𝑥
∝𝑝
𝑚
pressure raised to power .
(iii) At high pressure, the extent of 𝑝
adsorption is independent of pressure.
Freundlich adsorption isotherm:

This is in the form of

1
𝑥 slope =
log θ n
𝑚

Intercept =log 𝑘

log 𝑝
11. For the adsorption of a gas on a solid, the plot of
log (x/m) versus log p is linear with slope equal to
(a) k (b) log k (c) n (d) 1/n (NEET 2006)
Solution:

This is in the form of

Ans. (d) 1/n

12. In Freundlich adsorption isotherm, the value of is
(1) between 0 & 1 in all cases
(2) between 2 & 4 in all cases
(3) 1 in case of physical adsorption
(4) 1 in case of chemisorption (NEET 2012)
Solution: Freundlich adsorption isotherm is given by

Answer: (1) between 0 & 1 in all cases

13. Plot of log (x/m) against log p is a straight line inclined at
an angle of 45. When the pressure is 0.5 atom and
Freundlich parameter, k is 10, the amount of solute
adsorbed per gram of adsorbent will be
(a) 1 g (b) 2 g (c) 3 g (d) 5 g
Given: 𝑥 1
log = log 𝑝+ log 𝑘
𝑚 𝑛
Slope = 1/n = 1 𝑥
log =log 0.5+ log 10
P = 0.5 atm 𝑚
𝑥
K = 10 log =log 5
𝑚
x/m = ? 𝑥
Ans. ( d ) 5 g =5
𝑚
Q. Define: Catalyst.
Catalyst : A substance which when added to a reacting system increases
the rate of a reaction without itself undergoing any permanent
chemical change is called as a catalyst.
Reaction Name of Catalyst used
Nickel
(Ni)
1. Hydrogenation of oil (Hardening)
2. Haber’s process of manufacture of Fe/
ammonia Mo
3. Manufacture of HDPE polymer Ziegler-Natta Catalyst [(C2H5)3Al +
4. Manufacture of H2SO4 by contactTiCl4] V O (Vanadium
2 5
Pentoxide)
process
5. Fischer-Tropsch process Co/Th
alloy
(synthesis of gasoline)
Synthesis of ammonia

Fe(s)
N2 + 3H2 2NH3
Important features of solid catalysts:
a. Catalytic activity:
(i) The activity of a catalyst depends on the strength of chemisorption.
(ii) If large number of reactant molecules (gas or liquid) are strongly
adsorbed on the surface of solid catalyst, the catalyst is said to be
active.
(iii)However, the adsorption of reactant molecules on the surface, that is,
the bond formed between adsorbate and adsorbent surface should not
be very strong so that they are not immobilized.
Important features of solid catalysts:
b. Catalytic selectivity:
(i) Some solid catalysts are selective in their action.
(ii) The same gaseous reactants produce different products when
different catalysts are used.
e.g. The gaseous ethylene and O 2 react to produce different products with
different catalysts.
Pd/Al2O3
C2H4(g) + O2 2 CH3CHO(g)
Acetaldehyde
Ag/Al2O3
C2H4(g) + O2 2

Ethylene oxide
e.g. The gaseous carbon monoxide and H 2 produce different products by
using different catalysts.

Ni
CO(g) + 3 H2(g) CH4(g) + H2O(g)

Cu/ZnO-Cr2O3
CO(g) + 2 H2(g) CH3OH(g)
Important features of solid catalysts:
c. Shape selective catalysis by zeolites:
(i) Zeolites are alumino silicates (Al2O5Si)with three-dimensional
network of silicates.
(ii) Some silicon atoms in this network are replaced by aluminium atoms
giving Al-O-Si frame work. This results in microporous structure.
(iii)The reactions in zeolites are dependent on the size and shape of
reactant or products and also on pores and cavities of zeolites.
(iv)Therefore, Zeolites are shape selective catalysts.
(v) In petroleum industry, zeolite catalyst ZSM-5 converts alcohols
directly to gasoline (pertol) by dehydration which gives a mixture of
hydrocarbons.
14. Which one of the following statements is not correct?
(1) Catalyst does not initiate any reaction
(2) The value of equilibrium constant is changed in the
presence of a catalyst in the reaction at equilibrium
(3) Enzymes catalyze mainly bio-chemical reactions
(4) Coenzymes increase the catalytic activity of enzyme.
(NEET 2017)
Solution: A catalyst decreases activation energies of both the
forward and backward reaction by same amount, therefore, it
speeds up both forward and backward reaction by same rate.
Equilibrium constant is therefore not affected by catalyst at a
given temperature. Ans. (2)
15. In Haber’s process for the manufacture of ammonia
finely divided ……. is used as catalyst.
(a) iron (b) molybdenum
(c) nickel (d) no catalyst is necessary
Solution: Fe
(s)
N2 + 3H2 2NH3

Iron
16. Reaction is Zeolite catalyst depend on
(a) Pores (b) Apertures
(c) Size of cavities (d) All of these
Solution:
Zeolites are shape selective catalyst.
All of these
17. Given below, catalyst and corresponding
process/reaction are matched. The mismatch is
(a) [RhCl(PPh3)2] : Hydrogenation
(b) TiCl4 + Al(C2H5)3 : Polymerization
(c) V2O5 : Haber-Bosch process
(d) Ni : Hydrogenation
Solution:
V2O5 : Contact process of manufacture of H2SO4
18. C12H22O11 + H2O C6H12O6 (aq)+ C6H12O6 (aq)
Sucrose Glucose Fructose
In this reaction, dil. H2SO4 is called
(a) Homogenous catalysis (b) Homogenous catalyst
(c) Heterogeneous catalysis (d) Heterogeneous catalyst
Solution:
Reactant & catalyst (H2SO4) are present in same physical
state. H2SO4 is called homogenous catalyst.
19. Which of the following statement about a catalyst is
true?
(a) It lowers the energy of activation
(b) The catalyst altered during the reaction is
regenerated
(c) It does not alter the equilibrium
(d) All of these
Solution:
All of these
20. Which is not a characteristic of a catalyst?
(a) It changes the equilibrium constant
(b) It alters the reaction path
(c) It increases the average KE of the molecules
(d) It increases the rate of reaction
Solution:
Catalyst does the change the equilibrium constant.
It changes the equilibrium constant.
21. In the Ostwald’s process for the manufacture of HNO3,
the catalyst used is
(a) Mo (b) Fe (c) Ni (d) Pt
Solution:
Ostwald’s process:
Pt guage
4NH3 + 5O2 4NO + 6H2O

4NO + 2O2 4NO2

4NO2 + 2H2O + O2 4HNO3

Pt
22. Catalyst used in the oxidation of SO2  SO3 is
(a) Ni (b) ZnO.Cr2O3
(c) V2O5 (d) Iron
Solution:
Contact process: V2O5
SO2 + ½ O2 SO3
V2O5
23. Adam’s catalyst is
(a) Platinum (b) Iron
(c) Molybdenum (d) Nickel
Solution:
Generally transition metals acts as catalysts.
Adam’s catalyst is another name of Platinum.
Pt
24. The process which is catalyzed by one of the products is
called
(a) Acid-base catalysis (b) Autocatalysis
(c) Negative catalysis (d) None
Solution:
8 HNO3(l) + 3 Cu(s)  3 Cu(NO3)2(s) + 2 NO(g) + 4 H2O(l)
In this reaction, NO (Nitrous acid) formed, acts as catalyst.
This is an example of autocatalysis.
Autocatalysis
0.1 to 1 nm > 1000 nm 1 to 1000 nm
6. A colloidal system has particle of which of the following
size?
(1) 10–9 m to 10–12 m (2) 10–6 m to 10–9 m
(3) 10–4 m to 10–10 m (4) 10–9 m to 10–12 m
(NEET 2005)
Solution:
Solution Type Particle Size
(1) True solution < 1 nm
(2) Colloidal solution 1 nm to 1000 nm
(3) Suspension > 1000 nm

Answer: (2) 10–6 m to 10–9 m

Colloids :
Colloids are heterogeneous mixtures with particle size 1 to 1000 nm.

Dispersion medium:

The component of colloid present in the largest proportion is called

dispersion medium

Dispersed phase:

The component of colloid present in the small proportion is called

dispersed phase.
Examples of Colloids :
1. Blue colour of the sky :

2. Blood :
It is a colloidal dispersion of
plasma proteins and
antibodies in water.
3. Soil:
Fertile soils are colloidal in
nature where humus acts as a protective colloid. Soil adsorbs moisture
and nourishing materials due to its colloidal nature.
4. Fog, mist & rain:
 Classification of Colloids
Colloids

Based on Based on Based on

physical state interaction or molecular size
affinity of phases
1. Multimolecular
1. Solid Colloids
Colloids
2. Liquid Colloids 1. Lyophilic colloids
2. Macromolecular
3. Gas Colloids 2. Lyophobic colloids
Colloids
3. Associated
colloids or
micelles
Dispersed Dispersed Type of Examples
Phase Medium Colloid
Solid Solid Solid Sol coloured glasses, gem stones,
porcelain, paper
Liquid Solid Gel cheese, butter, jellies
Gas Solid Solid Sol pumice stone, foam rubber, plaster
Solid Liquid Sols & paints, cell fluids, gelatin, muddy
gels water, starch solution.
Liquid Liquid Emulsio milk, hair cream
Gas Liquid n Foam froth, whipped cream, soap lather
Solid Gas aerosol smoke, dust
Liquid Gas aerosol fog, mist, cloud, hair sprays, insecticide spray
25. Which one of the following is not a colloid?
(1) Milk (2) Blood
(3) Solution of urea (4) Ice cream

Solution:
Solution of urea is not a colloid.
Ans: (3) liquid in gas
26. Fog is a colloidal solution of
(1) solid in gas (2) gas in gas
(3) liquid in gas (4) gas in liquid
(NEET 2016)

Solution:
Fog is an example of aerosol in which dispersed phase is liquid
& dispersion medium is gas.

Ans: (3) liquid in gas

27. Small liquid droplets dispersed in another liquid is
called
(1) Gel (2) Emulsion
(3) Suspension (4) True solution

Solution:
Liquid + Liquid = Emulsion

Ans: (2) Emulsion

28. Smoke is an example of
(1) solid in gas (2) gas in solid
(3) solid in solid (4) gas in liquid

Solution:
Smoke is an example of aerosol in which dispersed phase is solid
& dispersion medium is gas.

Ans: (1) solid in gas

29. Cod liver oil is
(1) An emulsion (2) Solution
(3) Colloidal solution (4) Suspension

Solution:
A colloid of liquid in liquid is called emulsion.
Cod liver oils is such an emulsion.

Ans: (1) an emulsion

Classification of Colloids based on interaction or affinity of phases:

1. Lyophilic Colloids:
1. Lyo means liquid and philic means loving.
2. A colloidal solution in which the particles of dispersed phase have a
great affinity for the dispersion medium are lyophilic colloids.
3. If the lyophilic sol is evaporated, the dispersed phase separates.
But if it is remixed with the medium, the sol can be formed
again.
4. Hence, Lyophilic sols are called reversible sols.
5. They are stable and difficult to coagulate.
Classification of Colloids based on interaction or affinity of phases:

2. Lyophobic Colloids:
1. Lyo means liquid and phobic means fearing / hating.
2. Colloidal solution in which the particles of the dispersed phase have
no affinity for the dispersion medium are lyophobic colloids.
3. Examples: Ag, Au, hydroxides like Al(OH) 3,Fe(OH)3, metal sulfides.
4. Once precipitated/coagulated they have little tendency or no tendency
to revert back to colloidal state.
5. Hence, Lyophobic sols are called irreversible sols.
 Lyophilic colloids Lyophobic colloids
1. Formed easily by direct mixing. 1. Formed only by special methods.
2. Reversible. 2. Irreversible.
3. The particles are not easily visible 3. The particles are easily detected under
ultra-microscope..
even under
4. These ultra-microscope.
are self stabilized. 4. These are unstable and hence require
traces of stabilizers.
5. Addition of large amount of electrolytes 5. Addition of small amount of electrolytes
causes precipitation/coagulation. causes precipitation/coagulation.
6. Viscosity of dispersed phase much 6. Viscosity of dispersed phase is nearly
higher than that of the dispersion medium the same as the dispersion medium.
7. Surface tension of dispersed phase is 7. Surface tension of dispersed phase is
lower than dispersion medium. nearly the same as the dispersion medium
30. Lyophobic colloids are
(1) Reversible colloids (2) Irreversible colloids
(3) Protective colloids (4) Gum proteins

Solution:
Lyophobic colloids are Irreversible colloids .

Ans: (2) Irreversible colloids

31. Lyophilic sols are
(1) Irreversible colloids
(2) They are prepared from inorganic compound
(3) Coagulated by adding electrolytes
(4) Self-stabilizing

Solution:
Lyophilic sols are self stabilizing because these sols are
reversible and are highly hydrated in the solution.

Ans: (4) Self-stabilizing

32. Which one of the following is a hydrophobic sol?
(1) Starch solution (2) Gum solution
(3) Protein solution (4) Arsenic sulphide solution

Solution:
Arsenic sulphide solution is a hydrophobic sol.

Ans: (4) Arsenic sulphide solution

33. Which one of the following is a lyophilic colloid?
(1) Milk (2) Gum
(3) For (4) Blood

Ans: (2) Gum

34. The stability of lyophilic colloids is due to
(1) Charge on their particles
(2) A layer of dispersion medium on their particles
(3) The smaller size of their particles
(4) The large size of their particles

Solution:
Lyophilic colloids possess solvent loving nature and thus a
thin layer of dispersed phase is formed round sol particles.

Ans: (2) A layer of dispersion medium on their particles

Classification of Colloids based on molecular size:
1. Multimolecular Colloids :
1. Colloidal solution in which particles are held together with van der
Waals force of attraction is called multimolecular colloid.
2. For Example, S8 sulfur molecules.
3. The individual particles consist of an aggregate of atoms or small
molecules with size less than 103 pm.
4. For examples: Gold sol consists of particles of various sizes having
several gold atoms.
2. Macromolecular colloids:
The molecules of the dispersed phase are sufficiently large in size
(macro) to be of colloidal dimensions.
Examples: starch, cellulose, proteins, polythene, nylon, plastics.
Classification of Colloids based on molecular size:
3. Associated colloids or micelles:
1. The substances behave as normal electrolytes at low concentration
and associated in higher concentration forming a colloidal solution.
2. The associated particles are called Micelles.
For example, soap, detergent.
3. Soap molecule has a long hydrophobic hydrocarbon chain, called tail,
attached to hydrophilic ionic group (carboxylate), called head.
4. In water the soap molecules arrange themselves to form spherical
particles that are called micelles.
5. In each micelle the hydrophobic tails of soap molecules point to the
centre and the hydrophilic heads lie on the surface of the sphere. As a
result of this, soap dispersion in water is stable.
35. Which one of the following forms micelles in aqueous
solution above certain concentration?
(1) Dodecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride
(2) Glucose
(3) Urea
(4) Pyridinium chloride (AIPMT 2005)
Solution:

Ans. (1)
35. Position of non-polar and polar part in micelle
(1) polar at outer surface but non-polar at inner surface
(2) polar at inner surface non-polar at outer surface
(3) distributed over all the surface
(3) are present in the surface only. (AIPMT 2002)
Solution:
In each micelle the hydrophobic tails (non-polar) of soap
molecules point to the centre and the hydrophilic heads (polar)
lie on the surface of the sphere.

Ans. (1)
35. At the critical micelle concentration (CMC) the
surfactant molecules
(a) associate (b) dissociate
(c) decompose (d) become completely soluble.
Solution:
The soap concentration at which micelles (spherical colloid
molecules) first appear is called as critical micelle concentration
(CMC).
At this condition, the surfactant molecules associate with each
other.
Ans. (1)
Preparation of Colloids:
1. Chemical methods:
(i) By double decomposition, oxidation, reduction or hydrolysis.
(ii) Molecules of water insoluble products of these reaction aggregate
together and form sols.
SO2 + 2 H2S 3S ↓ + 2H2O
2AuCl3 + 3HCHO + 3H2O 2Au ↓ +3HCOOH + 6HCl
FeCl3 + 3H2O Fe(OH)3↓ + 3HCl
Preparation of Colloids:
2. Electrical disintegration by Bredig’s Arc method:
(i) This process involves vaporization as well as condensation.
(ii) Colloidal sols of metals such as gold, silver, platinum can be
prepared by this method.
(iii) In this method, electric arc is struck between electrodes of metal
immersed in the dispersion medium.
(iv) The intense heat produced vaporizes the metal which then
condenses to form particles of colloidal sol.
 Q. Explain the general properties of colloidal dispersions.

General properties of colloidal dispersions:

1. Colloidal system is heterogeneous and consists of two phases,

dispersed phase and dispersion medium.

2. The dispersed phase particles pass slowly through parchment paper or

animal membrane, but readily pass through ordinary filter paper.

3. The particles usually are not detectable by powerful microscope.

 Q. Write short notes on Tyndall effect.
Optical properties of colloidal dispersions:
Tyndall effect:
1. “The phenomenon of scattering of light by colloidal particles and
making path of light visible through the dispersion is referred as
Tyndall effect”.
2. “The bright cone of the light is called Tyndall cone”.
3. Tyndall effect is observed only when the following conditions are
satisfied.
a) The diameter of the dispersed particles is not much smaller than the
wavelength of light used.
b) The refractive indices of dispersed phase and dispersion medium
differ largely.
Importance of Tyndall effect:
1. It is useful in determining number of particles in colloidal system and
the particle size therein.
2. It is used to distinguish between colloidal dispersion and true solution.
35. Which property of colloidal solution is independent of
charge on the colloidal particles?
(1) Elector-osmosis (2) Tyndall effect
(3) Coagulation (4) Electrophoresis
(NEET 2015)
Solution:
Tyndall effect is scattering of light by colloidal particles which is
independent of charge on them.

Answer (2) Tyndall effect

36. Tyndall phenomenon is exhibited by
(1) NaCl solution (2) Starch solution
(3) Urea solution (4) FeCl3 solution
(NEET 2015)
Solution:
Tyndall phenomenon is exhibited by Starch solution because
starch solution is a colloidal solution.

Answer (2) Starch solution

Colour of Colloids:
1. Colour of colloidal solution depends on the wavelength of light
scattered by dispersed particles.
2. Mixture of a few drops of milk and large amount of water appears
blue when viewed by the scattered light and red when viewed by
transmitted light.
3. It also depends on size of colloidal particles.
4. For example, finest gold sol is red in colour whereas with increase in
size it appears purple.
 Q. Write short notes on Brownian motion.
Kinetic property of colloidal
dispersions:
1. “The colloidal or microscopic particles undergo ceaseless random
zig-zag motion in all directions in a fluid. This motion of
dispersed phase particles is called Brownian motion.”
2. British botanist, Robert Brown, observed such motion of pollen grains
under a microscope.
3. The random motion was explained by Albert Einstein in 1905.
8. The random or zig-zag motion of the colloidal particles
in the dispersion medium is referred to as
(a) Electro-osmosis (b) Electrophoresis
(c) Brownian motion (d) Tyndall effect

Solution:
“The colloidal or microscopic particles undergo ceaseless
random zig-zag motion in all directions in a fluid. This motion of
dispersed phase particles is called Brownian motion.”
Answer (c) Brownian motion
Electrical properties of colloidal dispersions:
(i) Charge on colloidal particles:
Colloidal particles can carry either positive or negative charge.
Positively charged sols Negatively charged sols
1. Hydrated metallic oxides 1. Metals, Cu, Ag, Au Sols
Al2O3.xH2O, CrO3.xH2O, metallic sulphides As2S3, Sb2S3,
CdS
Fe2O3dye
2. Basic .xH2stuff,
O methylene blue 2. Acid dye stuff, eosin, congo red
sols sol
3. Haemoglobin (blood) 3. Sols of starch, gum
4. Oxides : TiO2 sol 4. Gelatin, clay, gum sols
35. Which mixture of the solutions will lead to the formation of
negatively charged colloidal [AgI]I– sol ?
(a) 50 mL of 0.1 M AgNO3 + 50 mL of 0.1 M KI
(b) 50 mL of 1 M AgNO3 + 50 mL of 1.5 M KI
(c) 50 mL of 1 M AgNO3 + 50 mL of 2 M KI
(d) 50 mL of 2 M AgNO3 + 50 mL of 1.5 M KI
Solution:
(NEET
If colloidal sol of AgI is prepared by adding KI solution to 2019)
AgNO3 till KI is in slight excess, iodide ion (I–) will be adsorbed
on the surface of AgI thereby, giving a negative charge to the sol.
AgI + I–  AgI : I–
(From KI) Negative sol Ans. (b)
Electrical properties of colloidal dispersions:
(ii) Electrophoresis:

1. The movement of colloidal

particles under an applied electric
potential is called electrophoresis.
2. Positively charged particles move
towards cathode while negatively
charged particles migrate to anode
and get deposited on the
respective electrode.
(iii) Coagulation/Flocculation/Precipitation:
The precipitation of colloids by removal of charge associated with
colloidal particles is called coagulation.
Methods of Coagulation:
(1) By Electrophoresis:
The colloidal particles move towards oppositely charged electrodes, get
discharged and precipitate.
(2) By mixing two oppositely charged sols/ Mutual Coagulation:
Oppositely charged sols when mixed in almost equal proportions
neutralize their charges and get precipitated.
e.g. Mixing of hydrated ferric oxide (positive sol) and arsenious sulfide
(negative sol) brings them in the precipitated forms.
Methods of Coagulation:
(3) By boiling:
When a sol is boiled, the adsorbed layer is disturbed as a result of
increased collisions with molecules in dispersion medium.
This reduces charge on the particles and subsequently settling down as a
precipitate.
(4) By persistent dialysis:
On prolonged dialysis, traces of the electrolyte present in the sol are
removed almost completely.
The colloids then become unstable and finally precipitate.
Methods of Coagulation:
(5) By addition of electrolytes :
When excess of an electrolyte is added, the colloidal particles are
precipitated.
Hardy-Schulze rule:
“The greater the valence of the flocculating ion (or active ion) added,
the greater is its coagulating power.”
In the coagulation of negative sol, order of the flocculating power =
Al3⊕ > Ba2⊕ > Na⊕
Similarly, coagulation of positive sol, order of the flocculating power =
[Fe(CN)6]4– > PO43– > SO42– > Cl–
Coagulation or Flocculation
value:
“The minimum concentration of an electrolyte which is required to cause
the coagulation or flocculation of a sol is known as coagulation value or
flocculation value.”
Coagulation value or 1
flocculation value ∝
Coagulating Power
38. Gold sol is an electronegative sol. The amount of
electrolyte required to coagulate a certain amount of
gold sol is minimum in the case of
(1) CaCl2 (2) NaCl
(3) AlCl3 (4) Na2SO4

Solution:
According to Hardy-Schulze rule:
“The greater the valence of the flocculating ion (or active ion)
added, the greater is its coagulating power.”
Order of Coagulating power = Al3+ > Ca2+ > Na+
Answer (3) AlCl3
34. The coagulation values in millimoles per litre of the
electrolytes used for the coagulation of As2S3 are
given below :
I. (NaCl) = 52, II. (BaCl2) = 0.69, III. (MgSO4) = 0.22
The correct order of their coagulating power is
(1) I > II > III (2) II > I > III
(3) III > II > I (4) III > I > II (NEET - 2016)
Solution:

Answer (3) III > II > I

35. On which of the following properties does the
coagulating power of an ion depend?
(1) The magnitude of the charge on the ion alone
(2) Size of the ion alone
(3) Both magnitude and sign of the charge on the ion
(4) The sign of charge on the ion alone (NEET 2018)

Solution:
According to Hardy-Schulze rule, the coagulating power of an
electrolyte depends on both magnitude and sign of the charge of
the effective ion or electrolyte.
Answer (3) Both magnitude and sign of the charge on the ion
36. The ability of anion, to bring about coagulation of a
given colloid, depends upon
(a) magnitude of the charge
(b) both magnitude and charge
(c) its charge only
(d) sign of the charge alone.
Solution:
Both magnitude of charge and nature of charge effect coagulation
of a given colloid. Greater the magnitude of the charge, quicker
will be the coagulation.
Answer (b) both magnitude and charge
37. The colloidal solution can be purified by
(1) Ultrafiltration (2) Peptization
(3) Coagulation (4) Dialysis

Solution:
Dialysis is the process of separating the particles of colloids from
the particles of crystalloids by means of diffusion through a
selective membrane placed in water.
Answer (4) Dialysis
Protection of Colloids & Gold
Number:
1. “The phenomenon of preventing the coagulation of a lyophobic sol
due to the addition of some lyophilic colloid is called sol protection or
protection of colloids”
2. The protecting power of lyophilic colloidal sol is expressed in terms
of gold number.
Gold Number: Zsigmondy introduced a term called gold number.
1. “The weight of dried protective agent in milligrams, which when
added to 10 ml of a standard gold sol (0.0053 to 0.0058%) is just
sufficient to prevent a colour change from red to blue on addition of
1 ml of 10% sodium chloride solution, is equal to gold number
of that protective colloid.”
38. The protecting power of lyophilic colloidal sol is
expressed in terms of
(1) coagulation value
(2) gold number
(3) critical micelle concentration
(4) oxidation number.
Solution:
The protecting power of lyophilic colloidal sol is expressed in
terms of gold number.
Answer (b) gold number
39. If gold number of A, B, C & D are 0.005, 0.05, 0.5 & 5
respectively, then which of the following will have the
highest protective power?
(1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D
Solution:

Gold number of A is least, therefore, A has the highest protective

power.
Answer (1) A
Emulsion:
1. “A colloidal system in which one liquid is dispersed in another
immiscible liquid is called an emulsion.”
2. Liquid + Liquid = Emulsion.
3. Types of Emulsion:
(a) Oil in Water
(b) Water in oil
Emulsion of oil in water (o/w type):
1. Dispersed phase = Oil &
Dispersion medium = Water
2. e.g. milk, vanishing cream, paint
3. Milk consists of particles of fat
dispersed in water.
Emulsion of water in oil (w/o type):
1. Dispersed phase = Water &
Dispersion medium = Oil
2. e.g. codliver oil, butter, cream
3. Codliver oil consists of particles
of water dispersed in oil.
 Oil in water Water in oil
1. Oil is the dispersed phase and 1. Water is dispersed phase and oil
water is the dispersion medium. is the dispersion medium.
2. If water is added, it will be 2. If oil is added, it will be miscible
miscible with the emulsion. with the emulsion.
3. An addition of small amount of 3. Addition of small amount of an
an electrolyte makes the emulsion electrolyte has no effect on
conducting. conducting power.
4. Water is continuous phase. 4. Oil is continuous phase.
5. Basic metal sulfates, water 5. Water insoluble soaps such as
soluble alkali metal soaps are used those of Zn, Al, Fe, alkaline earth
as emulsifiers. metals are used as emulsifiers.
Properties of Emulsion:
1. Emulsion can be diluted with any amount of the dispersion medium.
On the other hand, the dispersed liquid when mixed forms a separate
layer.
2. The droplets in emulsions are often negatively charged and can be
precipitated by electrolytes.
3. Emulsions show Brownian movement and Tyndall effect.
4. The two liquids in emulsions can be separated by heating, freezing or
centrifuging etc.
Applications of colloids:
1. Electrical precipitation of smoke:
1. Smoke is colloidal solution of solid particles of carbon, arsenic
compound, dust etc. in air.
2. When smoke is allowed to pass through chamber containing plates
having charged smoke particles they lose their charge and get
precipitated.
3. The particles settle down on the floor of the chamber.
4. The precipitator is called Cottrell precipitator.
Applications of colloids:
2. Purification of drinking water:
1. Water obtained from natural sources contains colloidal impurities.
2. By addition of alum to such water, colloidal impurities get coagulated
and settled down. This makes water potable.
Applications of colloids:
3. Medicines:
1. Usually medicines are colloidal in nature.
2. Colloidal medicines are more effective owing to large surface area to
volume ratio of a colloidal particle, and easy assimilation.
3. Argyrol is a silver sol used as an eye lotion.
4. Milk of magnesia, an emulsion is used in stomach disorders.
Applications of colloids:
4. Rubber Industry: Rubber is obtained by coagulation of latex.

5. Cleansing action of soaps and

detergents:
6. Photographic plates, films, and industrial products like paints, inks,
synthetic plastics, rubber, graphite lubricants, cement etc. are colloids.